McPherson College vs. Southwestern College

Should I go to McPherson College or Southwestern College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Southwestern College 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. 

MBTS NWOSU Bethel College-North Newton Bethany College Southeastern Oklahoma State University
McPherson College vs. Southwestern College comparison
McPherson College Southwestern College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

McPherson College Southwestern College
Location McPherson, KS Winfield, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 822 1,174
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #453
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu sckans.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McPherson College Southwestern College
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $36,500
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $36,500
Room & Board $9,918 $9,380
Avg Net Price $25,065 $27,003
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $26,047
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

McPherson College Southwestern College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 1,240
Admitted 952 870
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 70.2%
Enrolled % 26.3% 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/23 17/22
SAT Range 908/1120 900/1220
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 Aug 22, 2025

Academics

McPherson College Southwestern College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (4%)

Outcomes

McPherson College Southwestern College
Graduation Rate 46% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $53,100
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

McPherson College Southwestern College
% Men 67% 65%
% Women 33% 35%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 54%
% Black 10% 12%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 15%

Students

McPherson College Southwestern College
% In-State 31% 36%
% Out-of-State 62% 61%

Campus

McPherson College Southwestern College
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

  • Southwestern College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,174 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Southwestern College?

  • Southwestern College is 12.3% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($36,500.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Southwestern College than McPherson College ($36,500.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McPherson College than Southwestern College ($25,065 vs. $27,003)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 5.7% lower than costs at McPherson College ($9,380 vs. $9,918)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Southwestern College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 18.8% larger than aid received McPherson College ($26,047 vs. $21,916)

McPherson College vs. Southwestern College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwestern College (999) is 59 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Southwestern College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have at the same average high school GPA (3.33) as students at Southwestern College (3.33)
  • Southwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

McPherson College vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southwestern College is higher than McPherson College (57% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern College earn on average $8,900 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($53,100 vs. $44,200)
  • Southwestern College students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($25,750 vs. $26,000)
  • Southwestern College graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

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