McPherson College vs. MWSU

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

 McPherson College MWSU
Location McPherson, KS Saint Joseph, MO
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 822 4,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu missouriwestern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College MWSU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $6,540
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $13,550
Room & Board $9,918 $10,200
Avg Net Price $25,065 $11,917
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $10,531
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College MWSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 -
Admitted 952 -
Acceptance Rate 65.9% Open
Enrolled % 26.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.25
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 MWSU
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 (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College MWSU
Graduation Rate 46% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $36,500
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,818
Median Loan Payment $268 $225

Diversity

 McPherson College MWSU
% Men 67% 38%
% Women 33% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 79%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 12% 1%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

 McPherson College MWSU
% In-State 31% 82%
% Out-of-State 62% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Missouri Western State University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (4,023 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or MWSU?

  • McPherson College is 396.9% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 139.8% higher at McPherson College than Missouri Western State University ($32,494.00 vs. $13,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than McPherson College ($11,917 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 2.8% lower than costs at Missouri Western State University ($9,918 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 108.1% larger than aid received Missouri Western State University ($21,916 vs. $10,531)

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

  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at MWSU (3.25)

McPherson College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Missouri Western State University (46% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $7,700 more per year than MWSU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $36,500)
  • Missouri Western State University students graduate with a $4,182 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($21,818 vs. $26,000)
  • MWSU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($225 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)

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