Central Methodist University
Higher EducationMissouri, United States501-1000 Employees
Central Methodist University is a higher education institution based in Fayette, Missouri. Founded in 1854, it is the only United Methodist Church–affiliated university in the state and welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and faiths. The campus emphasizes individualized learning through a faculty of teachers, mentors, and scholars and offers programs ranging from high-school dual enrollment to graduate studies, serving more than 4,500 students. In 2026, CMU announced partnerships intended to broaden educational opportunities, including collaborations with the Savannah R-3 School District and with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. The university has launched a hybrid program that blends online and face-to-face instruction at the Waynesville OTC location, reflecting a capacity to extend access across regional sites. CMU positions itself as a mid-sized regional higher education provider focused on liberal arts and pre-professional programs, anchored by a nationally recognized emphasis on character education.