CMU: #1 in Michigan for student access, graduate earnings

• With lower-than-average tuition, a widely varied student body, and outstanding career outcomes and earnings, CMU is one of only 4 Michigan public Opportunity Universities.
• Among Michigan’s public institutions of higher education, CMU scored best in state for its combination of high access and high earnings (weighted score).
• CMU is one of only 27 institutions nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Classifications as both an R2 research university and an Opportunity University.
• The classification highlights CMU’s commitment to providing students with an outstanding return on their investment in their education and their future.

The Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education named Central Michigan University as one of only four Michigan public institutions to its list of the 2025 Opportunity Colleges and Universities. CMU also scored best in the state for providing both tremendous access to a college education and pathways to well-paying careers, placing it in the “Higher Access, Higher Earnings” category of the classification. 

“At CMU, we are committed to keeping education accessible, affordable and impactful for our students, their families, and the communities they call home,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon. “Our position in the top tier of the Carnegie Classification — Higher Access, Higher Earnings — reflects that commitment and demonstrates that we offer students an outstanding return on investment and a path to greater upward social mobility.”

The classifications consider factors such as geographical location and composition of the student body, as well as comparative earnings for graduates eight years after beginning their college journey. CMU received the highest weighted score of any university in Michigan for student access and earnings.

Robert Roe, executive director of Academic Planning and Analysis, said data for the classifications come from sources including the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (or IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, among others. 

“When differences in student profiles are controlled for, CMU students earn more than would be expected,” Roe said. “CMU does an excellent job preparing students for great careers, and our students outperform expectations.”

CMU’s brand, We do, promotes the institution’s approach to hands-on learning in real-world settings. From their first year on campus, students can engage in research, gain work experience in areas such as graphic design, develop custom smart device apps, work with drone technology, launch a start-up business. and more.

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