Central College vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Central College or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central 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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Central College vs. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Central College Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Central College
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Overview

 Central College CMU - CLAS
Location Pella, IA Fayette, MO
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,095 1,017
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #548 #632
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $20,988 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $20,988 $26,360
Room & Board $12,220 $8,910
Avg Net Price $22,499 $25,050
Avg Grant Aid $12,678 $19,255
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,978 1,149
Admitted 1,562 1,010
Acceptance Rate 79% 87.9%
Enrolled % 17.5% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 935/1205 1041/1138
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

 Central College CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 Central College CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 63% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $279 $174

Diversity

 Central College CMU - CLAS
% Men 1% 0%
% Women 2% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 78%
% Black 2% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 Central College CMU - CLAS
% In-State 72% 59%
% Out-of-State 28% 27%

Campus

 Central 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 College is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (1,095 students vs. 1,017 students)

Central College vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 25.6% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.6% higher at CMU - CLAS than Central College ($26,360.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than CMU - CLAS ($22,499 vs. $25,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 37.1% lower than costs at Central College ($8,910 vs. $12,220)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central 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 51.9% larger than aid received Central College ($19,255 vs. $12,678)

Central College vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 25 points higher than at CMU - CLAS (1043)
  • Incoming Central College students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at CMU - CLAS (23)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CMU - CLAS (3.5)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Central College (79%)

Central College vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central 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 Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (63% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $9,400 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $10,125 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($16,875 vs. $27,000)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $105 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($174 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU - CLAS students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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