EIU vs. CMU - CLAS

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

 EIU CMU - CLAS
Location Charleston, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 8,804 1,017
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #632
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EIU CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $9,903 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $12,379 $26,360
Room & Board $11,298 $8,910
Avg Net Price $14,621 $25,050
Avg Grant Aid $11,122 $19,255
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

 EIU CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,648 1,149
Admitted 7,892 1,010
Acceptance Rate 67.8% 87.9%
Enrolled % 10.4% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 890/1110 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, 2026

Academics

 EIU CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 EIU CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 59% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $244 $174

Diversity

 EIU CMU - CLAS
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 12% 0%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 78%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 EIU CMU - CLAS
% In-State 90% 59%
% Out-of-State 7% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (8,804 students vs. 1,017 students)

EIU vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 166.2% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $9,903.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 112.9% higher at CMU - CLAS than Eastern Illinois University ($26,360.00 vs. $12,379.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than CMU - CLAS ($14,621 vs. $25,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 26.8% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($8,910 vs. $11,298)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 73.1% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($19,255 vs. $11,122)

EIU vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 33 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at EIU (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than EIU (67.8%)

EIU vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU 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 EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (59% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $4,900 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $6,775 lower median federal student loan debt than EIU graduates. ($16,875 vs. $23,650)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than EIU graduates. ($174 vs. $244)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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