K-State vs. McPherson College

Deciding between Kansas State University and McPherson College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Kansas State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • K-State Manhattan, KS
  • McPherson College McPherson, KS
  • Setting
  • K-State Remote Town
  • McPherson College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • K-State 20,295
  • McPherson College 878
  • Type
  • K-State Public 4 Year
  • McPherson College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • K-State #510
  • McPherson College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • K-State -
  • McPherson College Church of Brethren
  • Status
  • K-State Non-profit
  • McPherson College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • K-State
  • McPherson College

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • K-State $11,221
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • K-State $28,568
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Room & Board
  • K-State $12,830
  • McPherson College $11,498
  • Average Net Price
  • K-State $20,527
  • McPherson College $27,110
  • Average Grant Aid
  • K-State $9,270
  • McPherson College $23,513
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • K-State 92%
  • McPherson College 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • K-State 15,509
  • McPherson College 1,846
  • Admitted
  • K-State 12,669
  • McPherson College 1,417
  • Acceptance Rate
  • K-State 81.7%
  • McPherson College 76.8%
  • Enrolled
  • K-State 27.5%
  • McPherson College 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • K-State 1160
  • McPherson College 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • K-State 23
  • McPherson College 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • K-State 3.77
  • McPherson College 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • K-State A-
  • McPherson College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • K-State Average
  • McPherson College Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • K-State
  • McPherson College
  • ACT Range
  • K-State 20/27
  • McPherson College 18/23
  • SAT Range
  • K-State 1060/1260
  • McPherson College 960/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • K-State Test optional
  • McPherson College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • K-State
  • McPherson College Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • K-State 19:1
  • McPherson College 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • K-State
    • Business (17%)
    • Agriculture (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • McPherson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Engineering Technology (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • K-State 56%
  • McPherson College 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • K-State $49,700
  • McPherson College $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • K-State 70%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • K-State $22,500
  • McPherson College $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • K-State $232
  • McPherson College $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • K-State 46%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • % Women
  • K-State 54%
  • McPherson College 33%
  • Racial Diversity
  • K-State Low
  • McPherson College Medium
  • HBCU
  • K-State No
  • McPherson College No
  • % White
  • K-State 78%
  • McPherson College 70%
  • % Asian
  • K-State 1%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Black
  • K-State 4%
  • McPherson College 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • K-State 7%
  • McPherson College 12%
  • % Native American
  • K-State 0%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • K-State 0%
  • McPherson College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • K-State 3%
  • McPherson College 2%
  • % International
  • K-State 6%
  • McPherson College 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • K-State 1%
  • McPherson College 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • K-State 71%
  • McPherson College 26%
  • % Out-of-State
  • K-State 28%
  • McPherson College 70%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • K-State Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • K-State No
  • McPherson College No
  • Meal Plan
  • K-State Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • K-State Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • K-State Yes
  • McPherson College No

Comparable Facts

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

Kansas State University is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (20,295 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; McPherson College 16:1.

K-State vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State 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 Kansas State University than McPherson College ($20,527 vs. $27,110).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 10.4% lower than at Kansas State University ($11,498 vs. $12,830).
  • McPherson College is 232.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than K-State (about $26,089 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $11,221.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at McPherson College than at Kansas State University (about $8,742 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $28,568.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at Kansas State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 153.6% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($23,513 vs. $9,270).

K-State vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State 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 K-State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kansas State University (1160) is 80 points higher than at McPherson College (1080).
  • Incoming K-State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; McPherson College 960/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; McPherson College 18/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; McPherson College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
  • K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than McPherson College (76.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

K-State vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State 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).

  • Kansas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than McPherson College's (46%).
  • Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than McPherson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kansas State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, K-State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McPherson College graduates ($232 vs. $268).
  • More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.