Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Since its inception, Central Michigan University has been committed to keeping higher education accessible, affordable, and impactful. This month, the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education named CMU among only 16% of the nation’s higher education institutions fostering student success in its Opportunity Colleges and Universities list. CMU was one of the only Michigan public institutions designated as a higher access, higher earnings university.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation comes from the Student Access and Earnings Classification, which was jointly created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. The methodology considers whether institutions provide access to a student body reflective of the communities they serve, including students from lower socioeconomic and underrepresented backgrounds, and whether their students go on to earn competitive wages and salaries.

Higher access, higher earnings

Prospective students regularly list affordability and career outcomes as the top factors guiding their choice to attend college. CMU offers both one of the state’s lowest undergraduate tuition rates and one of the state’s highest career outcomes rates, with nearly 95% of graduates employed or seeking additional education within six months of earning their degrees. 

“As a university, we are committed to keeping education within reach for students and their families and, just as importantly, we are committed to helping our graduates achieve personal and professional success in their careers and communities,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon. “We offer competitive tuition rates, outstanding scholarships and exceptional student support services, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for a lifetime of great careers. We’re Fired Up to see our commitment reflected in this new classification.”

The Carnegie Classification for Opportunity Colleges and Universities recognizes CMU as a model for fostering student success. CMU provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world experiential learning in their chosen fields as early as their first year on campus. 

Additional information about the Student Access and Earnings Classification and its methodology is available on the 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification webpage.