McPherson College vs. Avila University

Should I go to McPherson College or Avila University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Avila University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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McPherson College vs. Avila University comparison
McPherson College Avila University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 McPherson College Avila University
Location McPherson, KS Kansas City, MO
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 788 1,733
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #857
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu avila.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Avila University
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $38,672
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $38,672
Room & Board $10,322 $9,065
Avg Net Price $25,490 $17,482
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $15,302
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College Avila University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 2,862
Admitted 1,013 1,704
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 59.5%
Enrolled % 23.8% 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 15/21
SAT Range 936/1126 800/1000
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 McPherson College Avila University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Avila University
Graduation Rate 46% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $45,100
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

 McPherson College Avila University
% Men 0% 13%
% Women 0% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 59%
% Black 10% 19%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 McPherson College Avila University
% In-State 27% 53%
% Out-of-State 69% 47%

Campus

 McPherson College Avila University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Avila University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,733 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. Avila University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Avila University?

  • Avila University is 13.5% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($38,672.00 vs. $34,072.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at Avila University than McPherson College ($38,672.00 vs. $34,072.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Avila University than McPherson College ($17,482 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Avila University are 13.9% lower than costs at McPherson College ($9,065 vs. $10,322)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Avila University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 49.8% larger than aid received Avila University ($22,929 vs. $15,302)

McPherson College vs. Avila University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McPherson College or Avila University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Avila University or McPherson College .

  • The average SAT score at Avila University (986) is 46 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Avila University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Avila University (3.24)
  • McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Avila University (59.5%)

McPherson College vs. Avila University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or Avila University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Avila University and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Avila University (46% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Avila University earn on average $900 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($45,100 vs. $44,200)
  • Avila University and McPherson College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Avila University and McPherson College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Avila University 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/