CMU - CLAS vs. MCA

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

CMU - CLAS MCA
Location Fayette, MO Memphis, TN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,080 116
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centralmethodist.edu mca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU - CLAS MCA
Tuition (In State) $26,360 $32,400
Tuition (Out of State) $26,360 $32,400
Room & Board $8,910 $8,890
Avg Net Price $24,828 -
Avg Grant Aid $18,044 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 0%

Admission

CMU - CLAS MCA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,166 -
Admitted 1,141 -
Acceptance Rate 97.9%
Enrolled % 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 930/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

CMU - CLAS MCA
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

CMU - CLAS MCA
Graduation Rate 43% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,600 $29,900
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,875 $33,000
Median Loan Payment $174 $341

Diversity

CMU - CLAS MCA
% Men 48% 34%
% Women 52% 66%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 78% 57%
% Black 8% 29%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

CMU - CLAS MCA
% In-State 59% -
% Out-of-State 27% -

Campus

CMU - CLAS MCA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
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 MCA based on total student enrollment (1,080 students vs. 116 students)

CMU - CLAS vs. MCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU - CLAS or MCA?

  • Memphis College of Art is 22.9% more expensive to attend than CMU - CLAS for in-state tuition ($32,400.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.9% higher at MCA than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($32,400.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Memphis College of Art are 0.2% lower than costs at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($8,890 vs. $8,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Memphis College of Art (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is ?% larger than aid received Memphis College of Art ($18,044 vs. $0)

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

  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MCA (3.33)

CMU - CLAS vs. MCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU - CLAS or MCA? 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 MCA and CMU - CLAS.

  • The graduation rate at CMU - CLAS is higher than Memphis College of Art (43% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences earn on average $8,700 more per year than MCA graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $29,900)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $16,125 lower median federal student loan debt than MCA graduates. ($16,875 vs. $33,000)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $167 less per month on federal student loans than MCA graduates. ($174 vs. $341)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCA students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 33%)

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