Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Central Michigan University at a Glance
Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1892 as a private normal school and became a state institution in 1895. CMU is one of the eight research universities in Michigan and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". It has more than 14,000 students on its Mount Pleasant campus. CMU offers 200 academic programs at the undergraduate, master's, specialist, and doctoral levels. The C…
1892
134 years old
$284M
$284.3 million (2025)
14,423
10,079 undergrad · 4,344 grad
1,017
480 acres
Identity
Is Central Michigan University Worth It?
Central Michigan University offers moderate value at $17,597/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,874, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Central Michigan University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #55 of 148 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #55 | Central Michigan University | 48 | $17,597 | $55,874 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Central Michigan University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MI.
Best Programs at Central Michigan University
The highest-earning program at Central Michigan University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $72,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $15,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Central Michigan University earns $72,300, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $15,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $33,756 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,597/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $72,300 | $72,300 | $33,756 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,400 | $71,400 | $28,000 |
| Computer Science | $63,200 | $63,200 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,100 | $61,100 | $28,327 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $60,900 | $60,900 | $31,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,300 | $59,300 | $29,375 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $51,700 | $51,700 | $26,942 |
| Marketing | $51,200 | $51,200 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,800 | $49,800 | $27,000 |
| Statistics | $48,700 | $48,700 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $28,077 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $45,200 | $45,200 | $28,768 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,400 | $43,400 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,600 | $40,600 | $27,000 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $40,500 | $40,500 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,200 | $39,200 | $31,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,000 | $37,000 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,600 | $36,600 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,400 | $36,400 | $31,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $36,300 | $36,300 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,300 | $35,300 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,200 | $35,200 | $28,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,000 | $34,000 | $29,375 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $32,700 | $32,700 | $26,912 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $32,000 | $32,000 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,000 | $32,000 | $27,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $30,900 | $30,900 | N/A |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $30,500 | $30,500 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,217 |
| Psychology, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,400 | $27,400 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $27,300 | $27,300 | $27,421 |
| Sociology | $27,300 | $27,300 | $31,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,000 | $26,000 | $28,000 |
| Anthropology | $24,100 | $24,100 | $26,699 |
| History | $23,300 | $23,300 | $29,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21,600 | $21,600 | $26,965 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $21,500 | $21,500 | $29,000 |
| Journalism | $21,400 | $21,400 | $29,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,200 | $20,200 | $31,000 |
| Music | $20,100 | $20,100 | $31,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,200 | $18,200 | $29,063 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $16,400 | $16,400 | $26,980 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $15,800 | $15,800 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mount Pleasant, MI
- Student Body
- 10,035 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,597
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,874
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000