McPherson College vs. SCU

Should I go to McPherson College or Southwestern Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or SCU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College
McPherson College vs. Southwestern Christian University comparison
McPherson College Southwestern Christian University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 McPherson College SCU
Location McPherson, KS Bethany, OK
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 822 425
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Pentecostal Holiness Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu swcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College SCU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $17,040
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $17,040
Room & Board $9,918 $9,400
Avg Net Price $25,065 $19,713
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $11,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

 McPherson College SCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 -
Admitted 952 -
Acceptance Rate 65.9%
Enrolled % 26.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.22
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 SCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Human Services (34%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College SCU
Graduation Rate 46% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $27,400
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

 McPherson College SCU
% Men 67% 56%
% Women 33% 44%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 44%
% Black 10% 25%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 10%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

 McPherson College SCU
% In-State 31% 72%
% Out-of-State 62% 19%

Campus

 McPherson College SCU
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

  • McPherson College is larger than than SCU based on total student enrollment (822 students vs. 425 students)

McPherson College vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or SCU?

  • McPherson College is 90.7% more expensive to attend than SCU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $17,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 90.7% higher at McPherson College than Southwestern Christian University ($32,494.00 vs. $17,040.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern Christian University than McPherson College ($19,713 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 5.5% lower than costs at McPherson College ($9,400 vs. $9,918)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Southwestern Christian University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 98.5% larger than aid received Southwestern Christian University ($21,916 vs. $11,041)

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwestern Christian University (978) is 38 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming SCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at SCU (3.22)

McPherson College vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Southwestern Christian University (46% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $16,800 more per year than SCU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $27,400)
  • McPherson College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SCU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • McPherson College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than SCU graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 38%)

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