Central Michigan University is one of the largest public universities in the United States, with more than 20,000 students studying at its Mount Pleasant campus. Beyond Mount Pleasant CMU has an online programme and affiliate Master of Arts in Education programmes at six community colleges in Canada.

Between undergraduate, masters, doctoral and specialist accreditations there are more than 200 academic options available to students at CMU. The undergraduate programme of dietetics recognises the role of dietary education in disease prevention, and passing the final examination will lead to a registered dietitian accreditation. 

Since 2013 CMU has had an established College of Medicine recognising the need to address shortage of physicians in Michigan. At the College of Medicine researchers have developed a technique of nanodelivery that allows drug to target diseased cells directly and can be used to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

CMU has longstanding good relations with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Mount Pleasant and the surrounding area. In 2003, CMU and the tribe co-hosted a UN sponsored conference on issues facing indigenous communities in higher education across the United States.

Sports teams at CMU are known as the Chippewas, and the moniker ‘Chips’ is applied to all students at the university. The university takes part in seven varsity sports such as softball and men’s basketball, and club sports of roller hockey and men’s rugby.

Alumni of CMU include actor Jeff Daniels, member of the band Fun. Andrew Dost, journalist and writer of Marley and Me John Grogan, and USA Today columnist Lorrie Lynch.