Head-to-head comparison
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences vs Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: which has better ROI?
Option A Fayette, MO
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Net price / year
- $22,766
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,991
- Payback
- 144.3 yrs
Option B Kansas City, MO
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Net price / year
- $23,006
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,535
- Payback
- 42.3 yrs
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.