Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Fayette, Missouri |
| Online | centralmethodist.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Central Methodist University is located in Fayette, Missouri, a rural community situated 30 miles northwest of Columbia in the state's central region. The main campus occupies 100 acres anchored by Classic Revival architecture, including the historic Brannock Hall which dates to the institution's founding as Central College in 1854 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Operating as a private liberal arts institution, CMU maintains selective admission standards and offers undergraduate programs with particular emphasis in nursing, education, business, and music, along with pre-professional tracks in medicine and law. The university provides traditional residence hall living for its main campus students and competes in the NAIA Heart of America Athletic Conference, where it fields teams known as the Eagles.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CMU - CLAS is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#632 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#424 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Colleges in Missouri
#7 in Best Private Colleges in Missouri
#18 in Best Value Colleges in Missouri
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1041/1138 |
| ACT | 19/24 |
| GPA | 3.5 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $780 |
| Room and Board | $8,910 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,350 |
| Total One Year Cost | $44,400 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 22% |
| Business | 16% |
| Education | 13% |
| Biology | 9% |
| General Studies | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CMU - CLAS are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=176947 IPEDS survey data for Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Current students may use the Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025