CMU - CLAS vs. Messenger College

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

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
Location Fayette, MO Joplin, TX
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,017 26
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #632
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centralmethodist.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $26,360 $9,600
Tuition (Out of State) $26,360 $9,600
Room & Board $8,910 $12,635
Avg Net Price $25,050 $18,221
Avg Grant Aid $19,255 $7,978
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,149 14
Admitted 1,010 7
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 50%
Enrolled % 23.5% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 1041/1138
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
Graduation Rate 43% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,600 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,875 N/A
Median Loan Payment $174 N/A

Diversity

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
% Men 0% 19%
% Women 0% 35%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 78% 54%
% Black 8% 18%
% Hispanic 3% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 8%

Students

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
% In-State 59% 50%
% Out-of-State 27% 50%

Campus

 CMU - CLAS Messenger College
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 Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,017 students vs. 26 students)

CMU - CLAS vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 174.6% more expensive to attend than Messenger College for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $9,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 174.6% higher at CMU - CLAS than Messenger College ($26,360.00 vs. $9,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messenger College than CMU - CLAS ($18,221 vs. $25,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 41.8% lower than costs at Messenger College ($8,910 vs. $12,635)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences as Messenger College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 141.4% larger than aid received Messenger College ($19,255 vs. $7,978)

CMU - CLAS vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Messenger College (50%)

CMU - CLAS vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU - CLAS or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and CMU - CLAS.

  • The graduation rate at CMU - CLAS is higher than Messenger College (43% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences earn on average $14,600 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $24,000)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 40%)

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