Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Fayette, Missouri · Private Nonprofit · 87.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
Central Methodist University's College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CMU-CGES) earns an ROI score of 43 in the Poor Value tier. The most striking number is the 0% completion rate (subscore 0), reflecting that this is the extension/online arm of CMU rather than the residential undergraduate college, and Scorecard's federal-cohort completion methodology does not capture the school's primarily-transfer and adult-learner population well. Tuition is just $7,440 (very affordable) but average net price is $14,601, suggesting the indirect costs of attending push the all-in figure higher. Total four-year cost is $58,404. Median 10-year earnings reach $48,991 with a 14.2-year payback period and 0.503 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 65.7% repayment rate (subscore 28) is concerning. The institution serves Missouri working adults pursuing nursing, teacher education, and business credentials, and outcomes for completers (especially in nursing) are meaningfully better than the institutional aggregate suggests.
The data raises concerns about Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate0.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,440/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $7,440/yr |
| Average net price | $14,601/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $58,404 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,991 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,619 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $187 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 0.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,092 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies is $7,440/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,601/year, or roughly $58,404 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,601/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,619 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $187 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,991 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.50 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,601 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | N/A |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | N/A |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $14,601 per year, $58,400 over four years. This is the only income bracket with reported data, all other brackets are null in current Scorecard data, likely a reporting suppression issue given the small lowest-income cohort. Pell-eligible adult learners can find affordable pathways here.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Net price by income data is null for all middle-income brackets. Prospective students should run the school's net price calculator directly to estimate their cost. Given the modest $7,440 tuition base, total cost likely scales modestly with income for full-time students, but indirect costs (housing, books, transportation) are the primary cost driver for adult students living off campus.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $110,001-plus bracket reports null. With low base tuition, full-pay families face a meaningfully lower cost than the institutional $14,601 figure suggests once aid and Missouri-resident pricing are factored. Higher-income adult students should expect a price below the headline number.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $35,452 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $85,140 | B |
| Business Administration and Management | $51,274 | C |
| Psychology | $42,219 | C |
| Education, Other | $43,653 | - |
| Accounting | $52,836 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $51,637 | D |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,671 | D |
| Computer Science | $59,648 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,805 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is one of the largest programs with 112 graduates and earns a B ROI grade. First-year earnings of $73,569 climb to $85,140 by year four, very strong for the field. Median debt of $27,000 against these earnings produces a 0.367 debt-to-earnings ratio, healthy. CMU's nursing pathway is the school's clearest ROI win, particularly given the very low base tuition.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is by far the largest program with 131 graduates and earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of just $32,393 grow modestly to $35,452 by year four, reflecting Missouri's relatively low teacher salaries. Median debt of $20,431 and a 0.631 debt-to-earnings ratio are tight for the field, but PSLF eligibility for public school employment can substantially improve the long-term debt picture.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration has 35 graduates and earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $39,435 grow to $51,274 by year four, modest. With $22,732 in median debt and a 0.576 debt-to-earnings ratio, the financial picture is workable for completers in the Missouri labor market.
Psychology
Psychology has 27 graduates and earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $36,323 are modest and four-year earnings of just $42,219 against $25,230 in median debt produce a 0.695 debt-to-earnings ratio. Like most psychology programs nationally, viable earnings outcomes typically require graduate or professional school.
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Human Development and Family Studies has 16 graduates and earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $32,588 and four-year earnings of $39,671 against $23,246 in median debt produce a 0.713 debt-to-earnings ratio. This credential typically feeds into social services, family-support, and educational roles where wages are modest, students should plan for additional certification or graduate work.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 65.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 66.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 87.5% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,092 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,109 |
CMU-CGES admits 87.5% of applicants, an open-admission posture appropriate for an extended-studies college serving working adults. SAT data is not reported. ACT composite mid-50% runs 19-25. Standardized test data is less central here than at residential undergraduate colleges since most applicants are transfer or adult students. The 0% completion rate flag in the data should be read as a methodology mismatch, not a literal completion outcome for the population the school actually serves.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer institutions include Avila University and Mission University (small Missouri/regional Christian privates), Bob Jones University (a large fundamentalist Christian university in South Carolina), Curry College (a Massachusetts private with stronger completion), and Felician University (a New Jersey Catholic private). Within this set, CMU-CGES's $48,991 ten-year earnings sit roughly mid-pack. Its 0% completion-rate flag is anomalous compared to peers, who report meaningful completion figures, the discrepancy reflects the unusual structure of CMU's extended studies arm.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies (this school) | 43 | $14,601 | $48,991 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Bob Jones University | 47 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| Curry College | 45 | $29,207 | $54,400 |
| Felician University | 40 | $40,045 | $57,602 |
| Mission University | 15 | $21,383 | $38,641 |
Who Thrives Here
With 2,092 students and a 31.9% Pell rate, CMU-CGES serves a working-adult and transfer population in Missouri pursuing professional credentials part-time and online. The school fits adult learners completing degrees while working, particularly in nursing (the largest and strongest program), teacher education, and business. Standard residential ROI framing does not fit well, prospective students should evaluate the school primarily on program fit, schedule flexibility, and tuition, with the recognition that the federal completion-rate metric does not capture this population.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies. With a net cost of $14,601 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,991 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 0.0% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $17,619 against $48,991 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.