CSU vs. CMU - CLAS

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

 CSU CMU - CLAS
Location Chicago, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,317 1,080
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $26,360
Room & Board $13,800 $8,910
Avg Net Price $6,446 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

 CSU CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 1,166
Admitted 3,592 1,141
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 97.9%
Enrolled % 4.8% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19 18/23
SAT Range 750/963 930/1090
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

 CSU CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 CSU CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 21% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $323 $174

Diversity

 CSU CMU - CLAS
% Men 33% 48%
% Women 67% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 3% 78%
% Black 75% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 12% 4%

Students

 CSU CMU - CLAS
% In-State 77% 59%
% Out-of-State 20% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Chicago State University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (2,317 students vs. 1,080 students)

CSU vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 244.3% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 244.3% higher at CMU - CLAS than Chicago State University ($26,360.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than CMU - CLAS ($6,446 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 54.9% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($8,910 vs. $13,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Chicago State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 13.5% larger than aid received Chicago State University ($18,044 vs. $15,891)

CSU vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 168 points higher than at CSU (875)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.18)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU - CLAS is higher than Chicago State University (43% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences earn on average $300 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $38,300)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $14,375 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($16,875 vs. $31,250)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $149 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($174 vs. $323)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 25%)

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