Head-to-head comparison
Missouri State University-Springfield vs Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: which has better ROI?
Option A Springfield, MO
Missouri State University-Springfield
- Net price / year
- $17,613
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,827
- Payback
- 48 yrs
Option B 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
Missouri State University-Springfield has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,452 in 48 years versus 144.3 years at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, on median earnings of $49,827 vs $48,991 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Missouri State University-Springfield | Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,613 | $22,766 |
| Total net cost | $70,452 | $91,064 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,827 | $48,991 |
| Median debt | $21,992 | $17,619 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | 144.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$41,112 | -$78,444 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Missouri State University-Springfield or Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Missouri State University-Springfield, at $17,613 a year after aid versus $22,766 — a gap of $5,153 a year, or $20,612 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 Missouri State University-Springfield or Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn more?
Missouri State University-Springfield graduates report a median $49,827 ten years after entry, $836 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, Missouri State University-Springfield or Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: its completers carry a median $17,619 in federal loans versus $21,992 at Missouri State University-Springfield, a difference of $4,373. 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?
58% of students finish at Missouri State University-Springfield, against 51% at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 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.