Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — ROI, Cost & Payback
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences charges a net price of $22,766/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $91,064. Graduates earn a median $48,991 ten years after entry, $631/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 144.3 years — a 20-year net return of -$78,444, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences's 144.3-year payback ranks #1,242 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 3% of them, and #26 of 71 in Missouri.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,766/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $91,064 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,991 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $631/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $17,619 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 144.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$78,444 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences's own numbers. Net price $22,766 × 4 years = $91,064 total. Median earnings $48,991 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $631 a year of premium. $91,064 ÷ $631 = 144.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$78,444. 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 Liberal Arts and Sciences 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 Liberal Arts and Sciences students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $91,064 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $178,557 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences expensive compared with other Missouri colleges?
Its $22,766 net price runs $4,680 above the $18,086 median across the 71 Missouri colleges we profile, or $18,720 more across the full degree.