McPherson College vs. Bethel

Should I go to McPherson College or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Bethel 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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UT Martin Bethel College-North Newton Union University Southwestern College
McPherson College vs. Bethel University comparison
McPherson College Bethel University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 McPherson College Bethel
Location McPherson, KS McKenzie, TN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 788 2,974
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #992
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Bethel
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $16,870
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $16,870
Room & Board $10,322 $10,537
Avg Net Price $25,490 $20,606
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $10,423
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 McPherson College Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 3,318
Admitted 1,013 3,224
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 97.2%
Enrolled % 23.8% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 16/24
SAT Range 936/1126 625/1100
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 Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Bethel
Graduation Rate 46% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $292

Diversity

 McPherson College Bethel
% Men 0% 3%
% Women 0% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 46%
% Black 10% 40%
% Hispanic 12% 1%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

 McPherson College Bethel
% In-State 27% 80%
% Out-of-State 69% 19%

Campus

 McPherson College Bethel
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

  • Bethel University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (2,974 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Bethel?

  • McPherson College is 102% more expensive to attend than Bethel for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $16,870.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102% higher at McPherson College than Bethel University ($34,072.00 vs. $16,870.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than McPherson College ($20,606 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 2.1% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,322 vs. $10,537)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Bethel University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 120% larger than aid received Bethel University ($22,929 vs. $10,423)

McPherson College vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at McPherson College (940) is 12 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming McPherson College students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than McPherson College (83.8%)

McPherson College vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or Bethel? 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 Bethel and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Bethel University (46% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $1,500 more per year than Bethel graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $42,700)
  • McPherson College students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($26,000 vs. $28,250)
  • McPherson College graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($268 vs. $292)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/