ESU vs. McPherson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS with McPherson College in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emporia State University is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; McPherson College 16:1.

ESU vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU or McPherson College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Emporia State University than McPherson College ($16,094 vs. $27,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 4.8% lower than at McPherson College ($10,950 vs. $11,498).
• McPherson College is 425% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $30,204 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142% higher at McPherson College than at Emporia State University (about $21,891 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at Emporia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 295.1% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($23,513 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU or McPherson College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between McPherson College and ESU .

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMcPherson College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMcPherson College 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ESU - Test optional; McPherson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than McPherson College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

ESU vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU and McPherson College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• McPherson College's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from McPherson College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $6,581 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($19,419 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McPherson College graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.