GSU vs. CMU - CLAS

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

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Location University Park, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 4,337 1,017
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #632
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $7,872 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $7,872 $26,360
Room & Board $11,360 $8,910
Avg Net Price $10,833 $25,050
Avg Grant Aid $11,315 $19,255
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 100%

Admission

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,149
Admitted - 1,010
Acceptance Rate 87.9%
Enrolled % 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 830/1060 1041/1138
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate - 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $178 $174

Diversity

 GSU CMU - CLAS
% Men 15% 0%
% Women 27% 0%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 78%
% Black 38% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 9% 4%

Students

 GSU CMU - CLAS
% In-State 95% 59%
% Out-of-State 3% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (4,337 students vs. 1,017 students)

GSU vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 234.9% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 234.9% higher at CMU - CLAS than Governors State University ($26,360.00 vs. $7,872.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than CMU - CLAS ($10,833 vs. $25,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 27.5% lower than costs at Governors State University ($8,910 vs. $11,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Governors State University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 70.2% larger than aid received Governors State University ($19,255 vs. $11,315)

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 132 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CMU - CLAS (3.5)

GSU vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU 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 GSU.

  • Graduates from Governors State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $38,600)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $375 lower median federal student loan debt than GSU graduates. ($16,875 vs. $17,250)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than GSU graduates. ($174 vs. $178)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 48%)

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