Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Fayette, Missouri
87.9% Acceptance Rate
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.9%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$43,890Annual Cost
$48,991Grad Salary
37%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.9%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1041–1138
ACT Middle 50%
19–24
Need-Based Aid
37% receive Pell
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a private, Methodist-affiliated institution in Missouri dedicated to academic excellence and student success. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on academic performance and personal fit for a nurturing campus. The college seeks students who are looking for a comprehensive education that fosters intellectual, personal, and professional development in a community-driven environment.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Acceptance Rate
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU - CLAS) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 87.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CMU - CLAS reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
CMU - CLAS GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CMU - CLAS is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.70–3.90.CMU - CLAS GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The Fayette BSN program requires "C" or better in Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry with a hard maximum of two attempts per course, plus a 2.5+ science sub-cumulative GPA and 3.0+ overall GPA on 53+ college hours
- The Biology/Biology lab requirement can be waived if all other science prerequisites are completed - worth confirming directly with the Nursing Department for transfer students
- CMU admits up to 40 nursing students per cohort across two cohorts per year (Fall and Spring), with a wait list to fill seats that open before classes start
- All full-time undergraduates receive an iPad through the "Digital U" program, and CMU runs distinctive named scholarship competitions (Central Scholars, Central's Got Talent, Center Stage, stackable Marine Biology awards) alongside major-specific transfer scholarships like Thogmorton (Nursing/OTA/PTA)
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at CMU - CLAS
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU - CLAS) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CMU - CLAS is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CMU - CLAS Without SAT or ACT?
CMU - CLAS considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of admitted students at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is 1090 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1138 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1041, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at CMU - CLAS. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 569 | 553 | 585 |
| SAT Reading | 521 | 488 | 553 |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1041 | 1138 |
Below 1041, you're behind most admitted students; at 1138 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU - CLAS) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of CMU - CLAS's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU - CLAS) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at CMU - CLAS is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 24 |
Can I get into Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of CMU - CLAS's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at CMU - CLAS.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CMU - CLAS
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into CMU - CLAS isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Apply in your junior year with the two-attempt limit firmly in mind
The Fayette BSN program requires a "C" or better in Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry - with a hard maximum of two attempts allowed per course - plus a 2.5+ science sub-cumulative GPA. If you earn a low grade in one of these five courses on your first attempt, treat the retake as genuinely final: seek tutoring immediately after any grade below a B, since a third attempt in the same course isn't an option at all.
Ask about the Biology waiver if your other sciences are already strong
CMU explicitly waives the Biology (and Biology lab) requirement if a student has already completed all other science prerequisite courses. If you're a transfer student or already solid in Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry but weaker in general Biology, ask the Nursing Department directly whether this waiver applies to your specific transcript - it isn't automatically flagged and could save you a full course.
Complete Pathophysiology before applying rather than provisionally, if you can
CMU admits up to 40 students per cohort across two cohorts a year (Fall and Spring) - more flexible than most one-cohort-a-year nursing programs. But students provisionally admitted while taking Pathophysiology concurrently with their first nursing courses must earn a B or better to progress past that first course set. If your schedule allows it, finish Pathophysiology before applying - it removes the single biggest risk point in the whole admission-to-progression pipeline.
Apply for the Thogmorton Scholarship by name once you have your program acceptance
The Thogmorton Scholarship is a transfer-specific award for students majoring in Nursing, OTA, or PTA who have already been accepted into their respective program - separate from general merit or transfer aid. Apply for it explicitly once your program acceptance letter is in hand rather than assuming general transfer scholarships already account for your major.
Expert Insight:
A common, avoidable mistake is treating the "two attempts" rule as generous rather than as a hard ceiling. A third attempt in Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, or Chemistry is not available at all - students who bank on "one more try" after two below-C grades in the same course have no further path into the program through that course and must formally petition the Nursing Department for alternative consideration rather than simply retesting.
CMU - CLAS Profile
Full Name
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU - CLAS)
City
Fayette
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
65248-1198
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CMU - CLAS Degree Worth It?
CMU - CLAS offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $49,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.34%.
How much does a degree from CMU - CLAS Cost?
The sticker price is $43,890/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
37% of students receive a Pell Grant and 63.9% take federal loans at CMU - CLAS. File your FAFSA early and list CMU - CLAS as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CMU - CLAS Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,991. That's about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at CMU - CLAS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CMU - CLAS Admissions
Median earnings for Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates sit around $48,991 a year.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences costs roughly $43,890 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 37.0% receive a Pell Grant at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 87.9%, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences average a 3.5 GPA.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — aim above 1090, ideally within the 1041–1138 range admitted students typically fall in.
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Missouri Colleges
Average SAT Score of Missouri Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Missouri
Bachelor Programs in Missouri
Test Optional Colleges in Missouri
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Missouri