Back to Main Menu

Rankings and Recognition

If you ask us what it means to be a part of CMU we'll tell you; it's a drive for continuous self-improvement. It's setting the leadership standard in our field, and as active citizens. It's lifting each other up to inspire each other to greatness. All while doing work that has a real impact on our world. 

The following facts, figures, rankings and awards are just a sampling of the work our community has achieved.

One of 4 in the U.S.

and one of 14 institutions globally certified as a 2021-2022 Celonis Academic Center of Excellence.

In the top 10%

of all U.S. four-year colleges and universities by U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges.

In the top 3%

of business schools in the world with AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting.

Student working in a research lab looking into a white microscope.

Best in the nation

  • In the top 20 U.S. institutions of medium size for Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program students.
  • Among 7% of U.S. universities with the highest two Carnegie research classifications, demonstrating a high level of research activity.
  • Ranked 78th nationally for Best Undergraduate Engineering Degrees by U.S. News and World Report 2024. 

    World-class academics

    A brown haired female medical student works on a patient simulator in a hospital bed.
    7 unique patient simulators

    programmed by faculty and staff to mimic clinical scenarios in our College of Health Professions.

    A male student performing on stage wearing a faux fur lined coat and a bright purple hat.
    80 performances

    a year are put on by the Department of Theatre and Dance.

    Medical students stand around a patient in a hospital bed while they review data on a computer monitor.
    100% residency placement

    for the 2024 College of Medicine graduating class.

    A Central Michigan University doctoral student aboard a research ship points to a glacier in the Southern Ocean.

    Setting the standard 

    • 38 million dollars in research grants and contracts were awarded to CMU last year.
    • One of only 2 Adobe Creative Campuses in Michigan.
    • The only baby thermal manikin in North America, which is used for garment and product testing. 

    Leading in all that We Do

    • Students and faculty conduct research on all 7 continents. 
    • For 51 consecutive semesters our student athletes have achieved an average GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
    • Credits from 2,500+ colleges and universities have transferred to CMU. 
    Female student wearing protective glasses stands at a machine inside an engineering lab.
    Gold Colored Cmich logo with maroon background

    CMU by the Numbers

    26%

    higher earnings for CMU graduates just two years after graduation, compared to the national median according to Niche.com.

    94.9%

    of CMU grads are employed, continuing their education or engaged in volunteer service within six month according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

    #1

    in Michigan, and 6th in the Midwest for highest earning females under 40 according to a study done in 2021 by Steppingblocks.

    student standing by American flag

    Honoring service

    • Gold Level ranking from Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in 2024-2025, 9 years running. 
    • Ranked 3rd in Michigan and in the top 58 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans by US News and World Report Online Rankings in 2024.

    Lifting each other up

    • 98% of first-time, full time undergraduate students received a grant and/or scholarship in 2023-2024 .
    • $25.9 million in funds were raised for University Advancement last year, the most successful year of fundraising in CMU history. 
    A male faculty with dark hair and a male student in a maroon shirt working on a research project.

    1st in Michigan

    and 59th nationally for Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs 2024.

    1st in Michigan

    and 27th nationally for Best Online Bachelor's Psychology Program by US News and World Report 2024.

    2nd in Michigan

    and 73rd nationally for Best Online Master's in Education Programs by US News and World Report 2024.

    A male student sitting at a desk writing and looking at his laptop computer.

    Nationally ranked for online learning

    • In the top 104 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor's Programs by US News and World Report Online Rankings in 2024. 
    • 2nd in Michigan, 120th nationally for Best Online MBA programs by US News and World Report Online Rankings in2024.
    • 4th in Michigan, 66th nationally for Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology programs by US News and World Report Online Rankings in 2024.

    Paying it forward

    A brown-haired female working in a greenhouse.
    #1 in the nation

    among public universities for participation in Alternative Breaks volunteer program.

    A female rides a red bike across campus in the summer, passing in front of a large bioscience building.
    Gold STARS rating through 2024

    by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

    A student volunteering at a food pantry unloading boxes of canned goods and produce.
    12,549 volunteer hours

    completed by students in the 2023-2024 academic year, totaling $126,405 in service value.

    College of Education and Human Services

    • 4,500+ K-12 students learn problem-solving through our The Center for Excellence in STEM Education.
    • The 1st early childhood development and learning program in Michigan to earn accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
    • 5-time ‘Best Event Management Bachelor’s Degree’ award winner by the International Festivals and Events Association.
    • The second-largest teacher preparation program in Michigan, with over 300 graduates a year.
    A male student teacher in a maroon shirt works with two female students in a STEM classroom.
    A female student in a maroon polo shirt sits in a dark broadcast studio lab, the keyboard lights up different colors.

    College of the Arts and Media

    • 12 exhibits a year are featured in our University Art Gallery, including original student works and traveling collections.
    • 100% job placement rate for graduates of the music education program seeking teaching positions.
    • Winner of 17 national awards for the student-run media company Central Michigan Life at the Associated Collegiate Press annual convention 2024. 
    • Nationally recognized debate team including winners at the National Forensics Association's National Tournament and the Phi Kappa Delta National Tournament. 

    College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

    • 2nd in the state for anthropology programs, by PLEXUSS educational consultants in 2021.
    • 40+ student-led clubs and Greek societies, providing hands-on learning and leadership opportunities.
    • 2 National Federation of State Poetry Societies winners.
    • 1st of its kind in the state, the Public and Applied Liberal Arts program combines industry-smarts with people-smarts. 
    A blonde haired female wearing a maroon shirt and blue gloves examines an animal skeleton.
    Medical students wearing blue gloves in a lab setting work with a medical simulator.

    College of Medicine

    • Ranked among the 2024 Best Graduate Schools for Medicine by U.S. News & World Report for; serving rural areas, most graduates practicing in health professionals shortage areas and most graduates in primary care.
    • 144 research topics presented by residents, fellows, students and faculty at the annual Research Symposium for the CMU College of Medicine and CMU Medical Education Partners. 
    • Top 1% of applicants chosen for the 12th cohort of students for the College of Medicine class of 2028.

    College of Science and Engineering

    • 500+ students visit the Brooks Astronomical Observatory to use high-precision telescopes in our observatory and rooftop observation deck.
    • 30 registered student organizations.
    • 130+ students have published research in scientific journals.
    • 225+ students have presented their work at professional conferences.
    • 12 on campus centers and institutes dedicated to science, engineering and technology.
    Three females wearing red orange life jackets with research equipment row down a river inside a red kayak
    A male student working with a female student in a physical therapy lab.

    The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions

    • 95% of graduates from the College of Health Professions are employed or pursuing an advanced degree within six months.
    • Over 100 students and faculty presented unique research at the annual Health Professions Research Symposium last year. 
    • 6 different areas of service for patients at The Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education, including audiology, autism assessment, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, specialty clinics and more.

    College of Business Administration

    • $100,000 in total start-up funds up for grabs at the New Venture Challenge, where students present their latest entrepreneurial idea.
    • 20+ student organizations to develop leadership and grow a network.
    • 4th in Michigan and 66th nationally for Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs (2024).
    • 75% of our students graduate having completed an internship. 
    • $58,000 is the average starting base salaries of our graduates.
    A female wearing a black and white plaid suit presents in a conference room setting.