McPherson College vs. HSU

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

 McPherson College HSU
Location McPherson, KS Abilene, TX
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 822 1,765
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #741
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu hsutx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College HSU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $30,694
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $30,694
Room & Board $9,918 $9,980
Avg Net Price $25,065 $22,636
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $22,695
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College HSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 2,314
Admitted 952 2,042
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 88.2%
Enrolled % 26.3% 17.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 908/1120 1010/1198
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 HSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College HSU
Graduation Rate 46% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $46,600
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

 McPherson College HSU
% Men 67% 44%
% Women 33% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 71%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 15%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 McPherson College HSU
% In-State 31% 96%
% Out-of-State 62% 3%

Campus

 McPherson College HSU
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

  • Hardin Simmons University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,765 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or HSU?

  • McPherson College is 5.9% more expensive to attend than HSU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $30,694.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at McPherson College than Hardin Simmons University ($32,494.00 vs. $30,694.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hardin Simmons University than McPherson College ($22,636 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 0.6% lower than costs at Hardin Simmons University ($9,918 vs. $9,980)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Hardin Simmons University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 3.6% larger than aid received McPherson College ($22,695 vs. $21,916)

McPherson College vs. HSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Hardin Simmons University (1030) is 90 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming HSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • HSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

McPherson College vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at HSU is higher than McPherson College (47% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Hardin Simmons University earn on average $2,400 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($46,600 vs. $44,200)
  • Hardin Simmons University students graduate with a $11 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($25,989 vs. $26,000)
  • Hardin Simmons University and McPherson College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College 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/