McPherson College vs. OU

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

 McPherson College OU
Location McPherson, KS Ottawa, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 822 953
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren American Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu ottawa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College OU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $29,980
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $29,980
Room & Board $9,918 $11,934
Avg Net Price $25,065 $26,872
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $23,303
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College OU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 3,331
Admitted 952 2,606
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 78.2%
Enrolled % 26.3% 10%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.12
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/23
SAT Range 908/1120 860/1100
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 OU
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%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College OU
Graduation Rate 46% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,875
Median Loan Payment $268 $226

Diversity

 McPherson College OU
% Men 67% 63%
% Women 33% 37%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 61%
% Black 10% 13%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 1% 5%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 14%

Students

 McPherson College OU
% In-State 31% 29%
% Out-of-State 62% 69%

Campus

 McPherson College OU
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

  • Ottawa University Ottawa is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (953 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or OU?

  • McPherson College is 8.4% more expensive to attend than OU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $29,980.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.4% higher at McPherson College than Ottawa University Ottawa ($32,494.00 vs. $29,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McPherson College than OU ($25,065 vs. $26,872)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 20.3% lower than costs at Ottawa University Ottawa ($9,918 vs. $11,934)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Ottawa University Ottawa (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 6.3% larger than aid received McPherson College ($23,303 vs. $21,916)

McPherson College vs. OU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at OU (3.12)
  • OU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

McPherson College vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at OU is higher than McPherson College (47% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn on average $2,200 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $44,200)
  • Ottawa University Ottawa students graduate with a $4,125 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($21,875 vs. $26,000)
  • OU graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($226 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 46%)

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