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Central Michigan University acceptance rate & admissions

Central Michigan University admits 90% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 16,474 of 18,102 applicants were admitted and 2,044 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 960–1200 on the SAT or 21–27 on the ACT.

Check your chances at Central Michigan University → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
90%

More selective than 20% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

60% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 6% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
12%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Central Michigan University over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied18,102
Admitted16,474
Enrolled2,044

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What Central Michigan University weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Central Michigan University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • High school GPA
Important
  • Talent or ability
Considered
  • Class rank
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character and personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
Not considered
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

High school GPA of Central Michigan University first-year students

Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.48. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.

4.017.9%
3.75–3.9920.2%
3.50–3.7415.4%
3.25–3.4915.2%
3.00–3.2417.1%
2.50–2.9912.3%
2.00–2.491.7%
1.00–1.990.2%
Below 1.00.1%

100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.

Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early decision (binding)
Not offered
Early action (not binding)
Not offered
Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Central Michigan University SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Central Michigan University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing490610
SAT math470590
ACT composite2127
SAT total (approx.)9601200

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

Central Michigan University admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202490%490–610470–59021–27College Scorecard
Fall 202391%490–620470–59021–27IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is Central Michigan University compared with other Michigan colleges?

Central Michigan University has the 34th-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
30Northern Michigan University84%52%$14,085
31Western Michigan University85%58%$15,273
32Michigan State University85%81%$19,680
33Oakland University88%58%$9,120
34Central Michigan University90%59%$17,597
35Aquinas College90%65%$16,626
36Ferris State University91%47%$8,624
37College for Creative Studies92%71%$34,617
38Michigan Technological University92%68%$14,182

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →

Who enrolls at Central Michigan University

First-year students who return for year two75%
First-year students from Michigan88%
Pell Grant recipients31%
First-generation students29%
Women / men62% / 38%
International students3%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

Central Michigan University admissions questions

What is the Central Michigan University acceptance rate?

Central Michigan University accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 16,474 of 18,102 applicants were admitted.

Does Central Michigan University require the SAT or ACT?

Central Michigan University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 60% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for Central Michigan University?

The middle 50% of Central Michigan University enrolled first-year students scored 960–1200 on the SAT and 21–27 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at Central Michigan University?

12% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,044 of 16,474).

What does Central Michigan University look for in applicants?

Central Michigan University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Important: talent or ability. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Does Central Michigan University have early decision?

No. Central Michigan University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is Central Michigan University getting harder to get into?

Central Michigan University accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 91% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Central Michigan University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Central Michigan University overview