At $25,477/yr net price, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn $48,991/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,991/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,477 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $101,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,991/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,991/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,619 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,570/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,407/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,195/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,138/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,601/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,054 | $15,917 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $40,821 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $35,213 | $34,980 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $18,111 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $31,799 | $16,750 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. | Bachelor | $31,133 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $29,374 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $20,130 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $22,375 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $18,084 |
The Risk Factor
52.5% of students at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Central Methodist University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences gives you a middling financial return that depends heavily on which major you pick. At a net price above $25,000 a year, the median graduate earns just under $49,000 a decade out. Median debt sits under $18,000, which is manageable, but the payoff varies wildly by program.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays about $61,000 with the lowest debt load of any listed program, and that income holds up well against Missouri's regional healthcare demand. If you come here for nursing, the math works.
Everything else is weaker. Business, marketing, and general business graduates land in the low $40,000s to low $30,000s. Accounting pays under $32,000 despite carrying more debt than nursing. Parks and recreation management sits at the bottom near $31,000. These salaries barely clear the cost of attendance and leave little cushion if you borrow the median amount.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only about half of students graduate, and roughly a third don't return after their first year. If you enroll, pay, borrow, and leave without a degree, you carry debt with no credential to show for it. That's the single largest financial danger at this school.
Net price barely drops for lower-income families. Even under $30,000 in household income, you pay over $22,000 a year, and the highest bracket pays around $28,600. The aid does not scale steeply, so a lower income does not buy much relief here.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing and confident you'll finish. If you want a business or recreation degree, or you're unsure about completing a four-year program, look for cheaper options or stronger completion rates elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences worth the cost?
The value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $61,000 annually, which justifies the costs, but education majors average only $35,200 with similar debt loads. With a 53% graduation rate and $25,500 annual costs, many students don't finish and still carry debt.
What is the return on investment for Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Overall ROI is weak with average earnings of $49,000 ten years after graduation against $25,500 annual costs. Only nursing programs show strong returns, while business and education majors earn less than $40,000 annually. The high acceptance rate of 98% reflects lower admission standards.
How much debt do Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates have?
Median debt is $17,600, which is manageable for nursing graduates earning $61,000 but problematic for education majors earning $35,200. With nearly half of students not graduating, many leave with debt but no degree.
Which majors at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences pay off?
Nursing is the clear winner with $61,000 starting salaries that justify the investment. Business and education programs produce much lower earnings relative to costs, with education majors averaging just $35,200 annually.