CMU - CLAS vs. MWSU

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

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
Location Fayette, MO Saint Joseph, MO
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,080 4,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centralmethodist.edu missouriwestern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
Tuition (In State) $26,360 $6,540
Tuition (Out of State) $26,360 $13,550
Room & Board $8,910 $10,200
Avg Net Price $24,828 $11,917
Avg Grant Aid $18,044 $10,531
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,166 -
Admitted 1,141 -
Acceptance Rate 97.9% Open
Enrolled % 25.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.25
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 MWSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
Graduation Rate 43% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,600 $36,500
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,875 $21,818
Median Loan Payment $174 $225

Diversity

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
% Men 48% 38%
% Women 52% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 79%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 CMU - CLAS MWSU
% In-State 59% 82%
% Out-of-State 27% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Missouri Western State University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (4,023 students vs. 1,080 students)

CMU - CLAS vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 303.1% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.5% higher at CMU - CLAS than Missouri Western State University ($26,360.00 vs. $13,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than CMU - CLAS ($11,917 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 14.5% lower than costs at Missouri Western State University ($8,910 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences as Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 71.3% larger than aid received Missouri Western State University ($18,044 vs. $10,531)

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

  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MWSU (3.25)

CMU - CLAS vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CMU - CLAS is higher than Missouri Western State University (43% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences earn on average $2,100 more per year than MWSU graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $36,500)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $4,943 lower median federal student loan debt than MWSU graduates. ($16,875 vs. $21,818)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than MWSU graduates. ($174 vs. $225)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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