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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Baker OKWU Missouri Baptist University
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
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Location University Park, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 4,427 1,080
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $26,360
Room & Board $11,000 $8,910
Avg Net Price $9,833 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 1,166
Admitted 1,072 1,141
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 97.9%
Enrolled % 29.5% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 830/1060 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 Apr 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 GSU CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
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 36% 48%
% Women 64% 52%
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 (4,427 students vs. 1,080 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 250.9% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.5% higher at CMU - CLAS than Governors State University ($26,360.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than CMU - CLAS ($9,833 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 23.5% lower than costs at Governors State University ($8,910 vs. $11,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University as Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 50.5% larger than aid received Governors State University ($18,044 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than GSU (57.5%)

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/