Central Methodist University
Central Methodist University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1854 in Fayette, Missouri, operating a ~1,100-student residential undergraduate campus plus 11 Missouri satellite locations and online programs through its College of Graduate and Extended Studies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1854
- HeadquartersFayette, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Central Methodist University does
Central Methodist University (CMU) is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1854 and located in Fayette, Missouri. It operates through two academic divisions: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), which delivers residential undergraduate education on a 100-acre National Historic District campus to approximately 1,100 students across more than 40 programs of study, and the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES), which extends undergraduate and graduate programming through 11 satellite locations across Missouri (Clinton, Columbia, Park Hills, Neosho, Sedalia, Union, Poplar Bluff, Arnold, Lake Ozark, Maryland Heights) and through more than two dozen online programs delivered via Canvas LMS.
CMU's core technology footprint centers on Canvas as the LMS, Microsoft Office 365 (Eagle Mail, OneDrive), the Jenzabar administrative platform, PaperCut printing management, and a signature "Digital U" initiative that equips all full-time Fayette undergraduate students with a Wi-Fi 11th-generation 256GB iPad, Apple Pencil, and Apple TV-enabled classrooms. Graduate and professional programs include an MBA, Master of Education, MS in Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator tracks), MS in Mathematics, MS in Clinical Counseling, and an entry-level MSAT (Athletic Training) program accredited by CAATE with structured community-college feeder pathways.
The institution generates revenue primarily through tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, dual-credit course fees ($80-$100/credit hour), and auxiliary operations such as the Eagle Bookstore and dining services. CMU serves five identifiable customer segments — first-time residential freshmen, transfer students via community-college articulation, graduate and professional students (including working adults), high-school dual-credit students, and international learners — through a hybrid sales-led (counselor-driven) and product-led (online self-enroll) go-to-market motion. Reported student outcomes include a 90%+ employment-or-graduate-school rate within six months of graduation, with a 94% MSAT graduation rate and a 58% first-attempt BOC pass rate.
Central Methodist University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Methodist University
- Legal name
- Central Methodist University
- Website
- https://centralmethodist.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1854
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Central Methodist University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1854 in Fayette, Missouri, operating a ~1,100-student residential undergraduate campus plus 11 Missouri satellite locations and online programs through its College of Graduate and Extended Studies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Methodist University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)
Keywords
Where Central Methodist University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fayette
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Central Methodist University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charges for full-time undergraduate students on the Fayette campus. Tuition for 12-18 hours is $28,670 per year (2025-26) with additional mandatory fees of $790. Part-time tuition charged per credit hour with tiered rates based on hours enrolled.
- Graduate and Extended Studies Tuition: Revenue from graduate programs and extended studies offered at satellite locations and online. Graduate tuition varies by program: MBA at $400/credit hour, Master of Education at $275-390/credit hour depending on delivery format, MS in Nursing at $400/credit hour.
- Room and Board: On-campus housing and meal plan revenue. Average room and board is $9,790 (2025-26). Unlimited meal plan is $2,500 per semester. Required for residential students.
- Dual Credit Programs: Revenue from dual credit courses for high school students at $80 per credit hour (in-person) and $100 per credit hour (online).
- Auxiliary Services: Eagle Bookstore, printing services, dining services, and other student life revenue-generating operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CLAS Undergraduate Full-time (Fayette Campus) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CLAS Part-time Per Credit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CGES Undergraduate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CGES Graduate Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | MSAT Program (2-year Resident) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dual Credit (First Class at CMU) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Central Methodist University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central Methodist University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university that delivers higher education services through two academic divisions: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) on the residential Fayette, Missouri campus serving approximately 1,100 undergraduates in more than 40 programs of study, and the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) offering satellite and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Academic offerings include traditional liberal arts majors, professional graduate degrees (MBA, M.Ed., MS in Nursing, MS in Mathematics, MS in Athletic Training, MS in Clinical Counseling), more than two dozen online programs, and a First Class dual credit program for high school students.
Product overview
Central Methodist University operates as a higher education institution with two primary academic divisions: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) on its residential Fayette campus serving 1,100 undergraduates, and the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) offering satellite and online programs across Missouri. The university's technology-enhanced educational experience is anchored by its Digital U initiative, which provides iPads to all full-time undergraduate students. Academic offerings include over 40 undergraduate programs, graduate degrees (MBA, M.Ed, MSN, MSAT, MS Mathematics), more than two dozen online programs, and dual credit options for high school students. The institution also maintains a dedicated Master of Science in Athletic Training program with CAATE accreditation and clinical partnerships with secondary schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 90 percent of CMU-CLAS students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Central Methodist University
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Central Methodist University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Central Methodist University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Crowder CollegecoreCommunity college partnership allowing students to begin pursuing the MSAT degree at Crowder prior to enrolling at CMU. Part of pathway program for athletic training education.
- Indian Hills Community CollegecoreCommunity college partnership allowing students to begin pursuing the MSAT degree at Indian Hills prior to enrolling at CMU. Part of pathway program for athletic training education.
- Moberly Area Community College (MACC)coreCommunity college partnership allowing students to begin pursuing the MSAT degree at MACC prior to enrolling at CMU. Part of pathway program for athletic training education.
- State Fair Community CollegecoreCommunity college partnership allowing students to begin pursuing the MSAT degree at State Fair prior to enrolling at CMU. Part of pathway program for athletic training education.
- Three Rivers CollegecoreCommunity college partnership allowing students to begin pursuing the MSAT degree at Three Rivers prior to enrolling at CMU. Part of pathway program for athletic training education.
- Missouri University of Science and TechnologyminorCollegiate clinical site for MSAT program providing clinical immersion experiences for athletic training students.
- University of Central FloridaminorCollegiate clinical site for MSAT program providing clinical immersion experiences for athletic training students.
- Missouri Orthopedic InstituteminorPhysician practice clinical site for MSAT program providing clinical experiences in orthopedic/sports medicine setting.
- Dot FoodsminorIndustrial/occupational clinical site for MSAT program providing experiences in occupational injury prevention and workplace health.
- CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)coreCMU's Athletic Training Program is accredited by CAATE, 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006. Program undergoes regular review and accreditation maintenance.
- University of Missouri School of Health ProfessionsminorPartnership for MSAT students to take HTH_PR 7100: Introduction to Interprofessional Practice (1 credit) course online through the University of Missouri School of Health Professions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Central Methodist University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Evangel University: Private faith-affiliated (Assemblies of God) university in Springfield, Missouri with analogous undergraduate/graduate, online, dual credit, and athletic training offerings competing in the same Missouri adult-learner pool.
- Westminster College (Missouri): Small private liberal arts college also located in Fulton, Missouri, with a similar residential undergraduate focus, NCAA/NAIA athletics, and selective admissions profile - among the closest demographic competitors.
- William Jewell College: Private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri with residential undergraduate and select graduate programs, similar NCAA Division I/II athletics footprint - direct same-state competitor for traditional freshmen.
- William Woods University: Private university in Fulton, Missouri offering undergraduate and graduate programs including online delivery through WW Online. Comparable size and mission, with overlapping dual credit and satellite strategies.
- Missouri Valley College: Private liberal arts college in Marshall, Missouri with comparable enrollment scale, residential model, NAIA athletics, and dual credit/extension programming across the region.
- Culver-Stockton College: Small private liberal arts university in Canton, Missouri with a residential campus and similar athletic and professional program mix. Direct Missouri-based competitor for traditional undergraduates and online/extended learners.
- Hannibal-LaGrange University: Private Missouri Baptist-affiliated university with similar enrollment size, athletics focus, and graduate/online extended studies - matches CMU on small-school scale and religiously-affiliated positioning.
Regional players
- Baker University: Private Methodist-affiliated university in Baldwin City, Kansas with comparable liberal arts undergraduate and School of Professional and Graduate Studies offering online degrees - thin geographic neighbor with shared denominational lineage.
Broad incumbents
- Lindenwood University: Larger private university in St. Charles, Missouri with substantial online and extended-studies division - a same-state private competitor with greater scale and brand pull in the same CGES/online target market.
- Park University: Private institution in Parkville, Missouri known for its extensive online and adult-learner programs through the Park University Distance Learning and main campus undergraduate core - broader incumbent in the same regional market for graduate/online learners.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central Methodist University social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Methodist University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Central Methodist University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Methodist University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Central Methodist University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
Central Methodist University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Methodist University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central Methodist University
What does Central Methodist University do?
Central Methodist University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university that delivers higher education services through two academic divisions: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) on the residential Fayette, Missouri campus serving approximately 1,100 undergraduates in more than 40 programs of study, and the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) offering satellite and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Academic offerings include traditional liberal arts majors, professional graduate degrees (MBA, M.Ed., MS in Nursing, MS in Mathematics, MS in Athletic Training, MS in Clinical Counseling), more than two dozen online programs, and a First Class dual credit program for high school students.
Is Central Methodist University a public or private company?
Central Methodist University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Central Methodist University founded?
Central Methodist University was founded in 1854. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Central Methodist University based?
Central Methodist University is headquartered in Fayette, United States, in the North America region.
How does Central Methodist University make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are graduate and Extended Studies Tuition, room and Board, dual Credit Programs and auxiliary Services.
Who are Central Methodist University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Evangel University, Westminster College (Missouri), William Jewell College, William Woods University, Missouri Valley College, Culver-Stockton College and Hannibal-LaGrange University. Baker University is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Lindenwood University and Park University.
Does Central Methodist University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central Methodist University.
What industry is Central Methodist University in?
Central Methodist University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAH, Residential Liberal Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAHACAF, Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.