Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences vs Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: which has better ROI?
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,024 in 42.3 years versus 144.3 years at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, on median earnings of $50,535 vs $48,991 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,766 | $23,006 |
| Total net cost | $91,064 | $92,024 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,991 | $50,535 |
| Median debt | $17,619 | $15,675 |
| Payback | 144.3 yrs | 42.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$78,444 | -$48,524 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary?
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at $22,766 a year after aid versus $23,006 — a gap of $240 a year, or $960 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates earn more?
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates report a median $50,535 ten years after entry, $1,544 more than the $48,991 at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary?
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: its completers carry a median $15,675 in federal loans versus $17,619 at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a difference of $1,944. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, against 48% at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.