McPherson College vs. Doane University

Should I go to McPherson College or Doane University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Doane 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. Doane University comparison
McPherson College Doane University College 3 College 4
Doane University
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Overview

McPherson College Doane University
Location McPherson, KS Crete, NE
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 788 1,948
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu doane.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McPherson College Doane University
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $39,336
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $39,336
Room & Board $10,322 $11,615
Avg Net Price $25,490 $26,112
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $29,398
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

McPherson College Doane University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 1,289
Admitted 1,013 1,154
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 89.5%
Enrolled % 23.8% 21.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 936/1126
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

McPherson College Doane University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

McPherson College Doane University
Graduation Rate 46% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

McPherson College Doane University
% Men 0% 10%
% Women 0% 29%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 82%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

McPherson College Doane University
% In-State 27% 67%
% Out-of-State 69% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Doane University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,948 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. Doane University Cost Comparison

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

  • Doane University is 15.4% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($39,336.00 vs. $34,072.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.4% higher at Doane University than McPherson College ($39,336.00 vs. $34,072.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McPherson College than Doane University ($25,490 vs. $26,112)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 12.5% lower than costs at Doane University ($10,322 vs. $11,615)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Doane University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Doane University students is 28.2% larger than aid received McPherson College ($29,398 vs. $22,929)

McPherson College vs. Doane University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Doane University (1064) is 124 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Doane University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Doane University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Doane University has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than McPherson College (83.8%)

McPherson College vs. Doane University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or Doane 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 Doane University and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at Doane University is higher than McPherson College (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Doane University earn on average $3,500 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $44,200)
  • Doane University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Doane University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Doane University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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