ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Colleges / Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate79%

CMU Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at CMU was $13,740 a year for in-state students and $20,400 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at Central Michigan University is $24,750 per year.

Central Michigan University meets 76% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Central Michigan University full-time are awarded $14,921 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $31,162 in student loans per borrower.

Central Michigan University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Central Michigan University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $13,740 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Michigan residents can expect to pay 20,400 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Central Michigan University International Student Tuition

Central Michigan University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Central Michigan University usually pay around $24,750 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Central Michigan University:

•On-campus jobs •Athletic Awards •Central Michigan University-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Central Michigan University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Central Michigan University.

Room and Board Costs at Central Michigan University

Room and board at Central Michigan University costs $11,248 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can pay for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $5,400.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Central Michigan University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Central Michigan University

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city might be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Central Michigan Universityis located in a town in Michigan.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


Total Tuition and Expenses at Central Michigan University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Central Michigan University.

How Much Does Central Michigan University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Central Michigan University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $13,740
Out-of-State Tuition $20,400
Room and Board $11,248
Board Only $5,392
Other expenses $450

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Central Michigan University


The majority of Central Michigan University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 6,802 of the 10,421 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Central Michigan University meets 76% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $14,921 a year. Around 68.16% of Central Michigan University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Central Michigan University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $31,162 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $26,472
Private Loans $0
Most Common Loans for Central Michigan University Students
Federal Loans 67.15%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Central Michigan University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Central Michigan University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Central Michigan University awarded 5,654 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $53.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $22.36 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Central Michigan University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Central Michigan University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Central Michigan University was $14,921 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Central Michigan University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-2,954
Net In-state, Off-campus $6,661
Out-of-State, On-Campus $18,627

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Central Michigan University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Central Michigan University's net cost calculator on their website.

Central Michigan University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Central Michigan University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does CMU Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

CMU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students - X

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Central Michigan University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Central Michigan University's endowment was $246.1 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $10,032 for each full-time student enrolled.


Learn More About Central Michigan University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Central Michigan University

CMU Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,438

In State

$33,098

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$13,740
$20,400
Fees
$450
$450
Housing
$11,248
$11,248
Books
$1,000
$1,000

CMU Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

58%

Average Financial Aid Package

$17,384

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

14,594

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

79%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$14,190

Out-of-State

$20,850

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Search for Scholarship
Do You Work at a University?

Claim your page to customize your profile and connect with students!

Claim Free Account
ECE68226-946A-49FB-9EBE-25C918B98643
Need Advice or Have a Question About CMU?

Connect with the world's largest college forum for candid, authentic discussion.

Join the Conversation