McPherson College vs. Columbia College

Should I go to McPherson College or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Columbia College 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. Columbia College comparison
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Overview

 McPherson College Columbia College
Location McPherson, KS Columbia, MO
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 822 6,046
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu ccis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $24,326
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $24,326
Room & Board $9,918 $8,670
Avg Net Price $25,065 $22,824
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $13,725
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 McPherson College Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 -
Admitted 952 -
Acceptance Rate 65.9% Open
Enrolled % 26.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 908/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 McPherson College Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (42%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (4%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Columbia College
Graduation Rate 46% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $22,034
Median Loan Payment $268 $227

Diversity

 McPherson College Columbia College
% Men 67% 40%
% Women 33% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 55%
% Black 10% 25%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

 McPherson College Columbia College
% In-State 31% 56%
% Out-of-State 62% 42%

Campus

 McPherson College Columbia College
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

  • Columbia College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (6,046 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Columbia College?

  • McPherson College is 33.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $24,326.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.6% higher at McPherson College than Columbia College ($32,494.00 vs. $24,326.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than McPherson College ($22,824 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.4% lower than costs at McPherson College ($8,670 vs. $9,918)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Columbia College (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 59.7% larger than aid received Columbia College ($21,916 vs. $13,725)

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at McPherson College (3.33)

McPherson College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Columbia College (46% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $2,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $41,800)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $3,966 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($22,034 vs. $26,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($227 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 40%)

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