Cost, Aid & Scholarships
Invest in yourself
To make the best decision about how to invest in your future, you need trusted and transparent information about how to pay for your education. That's why we make costs clear and financial aid easy to understand and access.
Ask an expert
Financial aid advisors are available to assist you in person, by phone or virtually.
Cost estimates
Tuition and fees
Tuition covers the cost of your classes. We also have one student service fee that is charged each semester. To estimate your tuition, we use 15 credits per semester, the average you would need to take to reach the minimum 120 credits required for a 4-year degree.
All U.S. residents pay in-state tuition no matter what state you call home.
Tuition is based on lower-level and upper-level credit hours.
All students are automatically considered for our merit-based scholarships just by applying to CMU.
Eligible Michigan students attend CMU tuition-free through the CMU Tuition Advantage program.
Housing and food
We've calculated housing and food costs using our standard room and meal plan. Keep in mind these expenses will differ if you choose a premium room or if you're eligible to live off-campus.
Think you want more space? Or more flexibility in your meal plan? This number can be tailored to you, your needs and your financial situation. Our housing page lists all options to find your best fit.
* The total estimated cost for incoming CMU undergraduate students in the 2024-2025 academic year is based on 15 lower-level credits per semester, selecting the standard residence hall option and the "All Access 450" meal plan. Rates may change. To see the full estimated cost of attendance used for financial aid budgets, check out our Cost of Attendance page.
Terms and definitions
Return on investment
Research confirms that earning a college degree remains one of the smartest investments you can make. A Central Michigan degree brings even more value because you’ll earn experience to jumpstart your career before you graduate.
94.9%
of CMU graduates are in a career related to their major or pursuing an advanced degree within 6 months.
25,000+
current job and internship opportunities posted by employers for CMU students.
23%
higher median earnings for CMU grads two years after graduation compared to the national median.
Scholarship information
Scholarships are a big part of financial aid and your overall college decision-making process. Learn how our scholarship options help put students like you on the path to your Central Michigan degree!
Cost and affordability resources
- Affordability strategies - practical ideas and actions to save you money at CMU.
- Cost of attendance - the estimated total cost of attending CMU for one year.
- Net Price Calculator - input your financial info to generate a more precise estimate of the price of your education.
- Types of financial aid - learn about grants, loans, scholarships, and other options to reduce college costs.