Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Central Michigan University reports a middle 50% SAT of 970 to 1210 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 52% submitted SAT). We use 1090 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 970 to 1210 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 52% submitted SAT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 20 to 28 |
| Acceptance rate | 91.0% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26, 22,287 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Not required for admission, but considered for some |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Central Michigan official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
CMU is the only school on this list with a fully public SAT/GPA dollar-amount scholarship grid, used for the money section below.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 1360 to 1530 | 15.6% |
| Hillsdale College | 1340 to 1470 | 19% |
| Kalamazoo College | 1200 to 1370 | Not reported |
| Michigan Technological University | 1120 to 1330 | 85.5% |
| Michigan State University | 1100 to 1310 | 83.2% |
| Wayne State University | 1060 to 1290 | 83.6% |
| Central Michigan University | 970 to 1210 | 91.0% |
| Western Michigan University | 960 to 1200 | 85.3% |
| Grand Valley State University | 920 to 1170 | 92.7% |
| Oakland University | 900 to 1150 | 46.8% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Michigan Colleges.
Michigan's old SAT-cutoff award, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship (1200+ SAT), no longer covers students graduating in 2023 or later; its state replacement is need-based with no test-score requirement, so score-tied money in Michigan now comes mainly from university automatic-merit grids like Central Michigan's.
CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1200-1390 / ACT 25-31 tier): $6,000 per year with a 3.6-3.79 high school GPA, renewable with a 3.0 cumulative CMU GPA.
CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1400-1600 / ACT 32-36 tier): $8,250 per year with a 3.95-4.0 high school GPA, the richest automatic tier on the grid.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Michigan SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Arkansas | 980 to 1190 |
| University of Mississippi | Mississippi | 990 to 1175 |
| Wright State University | Ohio | 910 to 1250 |
| Towson University | Maryland | 920 to 1230 |
A score that is competitive at Central Michigan lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 970 to 1210. A score at or above 1210 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 970 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Central Michigan lists its policy as: Not required for admission, but considered for some. Check the official admissions page for your entry term before choosing test dates.
91.0% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26, 22,287 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Central Michigan? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
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