Finance and Financial Management Services at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University's finance program delivers strong returns that challenge its accessibility-focused reputation. With first-year earnings of $60,023, graduates outpace the national median by nearly $6,500 and land in the 75th percentile nationally. That's impressive for a school with a 91% acceptance rate and average SAT scores around 1100.

The real story emerges in the debt comparison. At $26,672 in median borrowing, CMU sits below both national and state averages—landing in just the 12th percentile nationally for debt burden. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning graduates earn more than double their debt in their first year alone. While CMU ranks 60th percentile among Michigan finance programs (trailing powerhouses like Michigan State's $68,103), the combination of solid earnings and moderate debt tilts the value equation favorably.

Four-year earnings growth of 9% isn't spectacular but shows steady progression, and the program's robust sample size eliminates concerns about data reliability. For families prioritizing financial stability over prestige, CMU offers a straightforward path: accessible admission requirements, manageable debt, and earnings that compete effectively across Michigan's finance landscape. The roughly $7,000 earning gap compared to Michigan State matters less when you consider students aren't shouldering crushing debt loads to get there.