McPherson College vs. SNU

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

 McPherson College SNU
Location McPherson, KS Bethany, OK
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 788 2,165
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu snu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College SNU
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $28,000
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $28,000
Room & Board $10,322 $9,560
Avg Net Price $25,490 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $22,007
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College SNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 -
Admitted 1,013 -
Acceptance Rate 83.8% Open
Enrolled % 23.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.3
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)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 McPherson College SNU
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 (47%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College SNU
Graduation Rate 46% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $18,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $193

Diversity

 McPherson College SNU
% Men 0% 12%
% Women 0% 20%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 62%
% Black 10% 12%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

 McPherson College SNU
% In-State 27% 65%
% Out-of-State 69% 29%

Campus

 McPherson College SNU
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

  • Southern Nazarene University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (2,165 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. SNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or SNU?

  • McPherson College is 21.7% more expensive to attend than SNU for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $28,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.7% higher at McPherson College than Southern Nazarene University ($34,072.00 vs. $28,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Nazarene University than McPherson College ($19,825 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Nazarene University are 8% lower than costs at McPherson College ($9,560 vs. $10,322)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Southern Nazarene University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 4.2% larger than aid received Southern Nazarene University ($22,929 vs. $22,007)

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

  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at SNU (3.3)

McPherson College vs. SNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Southern Nazarene University (46% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Southern Nazarene University earn on average $8,600 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $44,200)
  • Southern Nazarene University students graduate with a $7,250 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($18,750 vs. $26,000)
  • SNU graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($193 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SNU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 61%)

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