McPherson College vs. NWOSU

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

 McPherson College NWOSU
Location McPherson, KS Alva, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 788 1,929
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #866
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu nwosu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College NWOSU
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $5,448
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $11,142
Room & Board $10,322 $5,520
Avg Net Price $25,490 $12,067
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $9,880
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 McPherson College NWOSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 1,293
Admitted 1,013 859
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 66.4%
Enrolled % 23.8% 39.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 16/22
SAT Range 936/1126 868/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 McPherson College NWOSU
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%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College NWOSU
Graduation Rate 46% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $14,315
Median Loan Payment $268 $148

Diversity

 McPherson College NWOSU
% Men 0% 3%
% Women 0% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 63%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 7%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

 McPherson College NWOSU
% In-State 27% 73%
% Out-of-State 69% 24%

Campus

 McPherson College NWOSU
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

  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,929 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or NWOSU?

  • McPherson College is 525.4% more expensive to attend than NWOSU for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $5,448.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 205.8% higher at McPherson College than Northwestern Oklahoma State University ($34,072.00 vs. $11,142.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern Oklahoma State University than McPherson College ($12,067 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 87% lower than costs at McPherson College ($5,520 vs. $10,322)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Northwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 132.1% larger than aid received Northwestern Oklahoma State University ($22,929 vs. $9,880)

McPherson College vs. NWOSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (950) is 10 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming McPherson College students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at NWOSU (20)
  • Accepted freshman NWOSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than NWOSU (66.4%)

McPherson College vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Northwestern Oklahoma State University (46% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $3,800 more per year than NWOSU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $40,400)
  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University students graduate with a $11,685 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($14,315 vs. $26,000)
  • NWOSU graduates are paying $120 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($148 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NWOSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 55%)

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