Blackburn College vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Blackburn College or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Blackburn College or CMU - CLAS is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Blackburn College vs. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Blackburn College Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Blackburn College
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Overview

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Location Carlinville, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 382 1,080
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blackburn.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $26,055 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $26,055 $26,360
Room & Board $9,020 $8,910
Avg Net Price $21,575 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $14,112 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 783 1,166
Admitted 504 1,141
Acceptance Rate 64.4% 97.9%
Enrolled % 21% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/24 18/23
SAT Range 888/1125 930/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 48% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $268 $174

Diversity

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
% Men 44% 48%
% Women 56% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 78%
% Black 13% 8%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
% In-State 70% 59%
% Out-of-State 30% 27%

Campus

 Blackburn College CMU - CLAS
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is larger than than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,080 students vs. 382 students)

Blackburn College vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or CMU - CLAS?

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 1.2% more expensive to attend than Blackburn College for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $26,055.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.2% higher at CMU - CLAS than Blackburn College ($26,360.00 vs. $26,055.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than CMU - CLAS ($21,575 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 1.2% lower than costs at Blackburn College ($8,910 vs. $9,020)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Blackburn College as Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 27.9% larger than aid received Blackburn College ($18,044 vs. $14,112)

Blackburn College vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or CMU - CLAS? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU - CLAS or Blackburn College .

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 38 points higher than at Blackburn College (1005)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Blackburn College (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Blackburn College (3.23)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Blackburn College (64.4%)

Blackburn College vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Blackburn College or CMU - CLAS? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CMU - CLAS and Blackburn College.

  • The graduation rate at Blackburn College is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Blackburn College earn on average $1,800 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $9,125 lower median federal student loan debt than Blackburn College graduates. ($16,875 vs. $26,000)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $94 less per month on federal student loans than Blackburn College graduates. ($174 vs. $268)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/