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Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College| McPherson College | Bluffton University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
| Location | McPherson, KS | Bluffton, OH | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 788 | 678 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | ||||
| Religious Affiliation | Church of Brethren | Mennonite Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mcpherson.edu | bluffton.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,072 | $35,498 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,072 | $35,498 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,322 | $11,866 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,490 | $21,299 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $22,929 | $29,291 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,209 | 2,873 | ||
| Admitted | 1,013 | 1,757 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.8% | 61.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.8% | 10.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.33 | 3.26 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 936/1126 | 920/1130 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 46% | 59% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,200 | $40,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 67% | 67% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $279 |
Diversity |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 0% | 7% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 70% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 12% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 27% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 69% | 19% | ||
Campus |
McPherson College | Bluffton University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- McPherson College is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (788 students vs. 678 students)
McPherson College vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Bluffton University?
- Bluffton University is 4.2% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $34,072.00)
- Out of state tuition is 4.2% higher at Bluffton University than McPherson College ($35,498.00 vs. $34,072.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluffton University than McPherson College ($21,299 vs. $25,490)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 15% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($10,322 vs. $11,866)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Bluffton University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 27.7% larger than aid received McPherson College ($29,291 vs. $22,929)
McPherson College vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, McPherson College or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or McPherson College .
- The average SAT score at Bluffton University (972) is 32 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
- Incoming Bluffton University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
- Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
- McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)
McPherson College vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, McPherson College or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University and McPherson College.
- The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than McPherson College (59% vs. 46%)
- Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $3,600 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $40,600)
- McPherson College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
- McPherson College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
- More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluffton University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 67%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/