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Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Fayette, MO · 2,092 students

The verdict

Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies charges a net price of $14,601/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $58,404. Graduates earn a median $48,991 ten years after entry, $631/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 92.6 years — a 20-year net return of -$45,784, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies's 92.6-year payback ranks #1,229 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 4% of them, and #25 of 71 in Missouri.

Better ROI than 4% of US colleges#1,229 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$14,601
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$48,991
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
92.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
88%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$14,601/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$58,404our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$48,991Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$631/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$17,619Scorecard, 2026
Payback92.6 yrsour math
20-year net return-$45,784our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies's own numbers. Net price $14,601 × 4 years = $58,404 total. Median earnings $48,991 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $631 a year of premium. $58,404 ÷ $631 = 92.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$45,784. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies students graduate with?

A median $17,619 in federal loans among completers, or 36% of the $48,991 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies students graduate?

0% finish their degree — 100% leave carrying the cost without the credential.

Is Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies expensive compared with other Missouri colleges?

Its $14,601 net price runs $3,485 below the $18,086 median across the 71 Missouri colleges we profile, and $13,940 less across the full degree.

Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies: frequently asked questions

Is Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies charges $14,601/yr after aid ($58,404 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $48,991 ten years out — $631/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 92.6 years and returns -$45,784 net over 20 years, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone.
How long does a Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies degree take to pay off?
About 92.6 years. We divide the $58,404 four-year net cost by the $631/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $14,601/yr — about $58,404 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies compare to other Missouri colleges?
It ranks #25 of 71 Missouri colleges we track by payback. Its $48,991 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $14,601 net price is below the national median of $16,902.