McPherson College vs. SWOSU

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

 McPherson College SWOSU
Location McPherson, KS Weatherford, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 822 4,777
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #794
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu swosu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College SWOSU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $6,585
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $13,695
Room & Board $9,918 $6,930
Avg Net Price $25,065 $13,699
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $8,539
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 McPherson College SWOSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 2,571
Admitted 952 1,974
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 76.8%
Enrolled % 26.3% 37.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.53
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
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 SWOSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College SWOSU
Graduation Rate 46% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $15,687
Median Loan Payment $268 $162

Diversity

 McPherson College SWOSU
% Men 67% 36%
% Women 33% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 67%
% Black 10% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

 McPherson College SWOSU
% In-State 31% 89%
% Out-of-State 62% 8%

Campus

 McPherson College SWOSU
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 Oklahoma State University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (4,777 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or SWOSU?

  • McPherson College is 393.5% more expensive to attend than SWOSU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $6,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 137.3% higher at McPherson College than Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($32,494.00 vs. $13,695.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern Oklahoma State University than McPherson College ($13,699 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 43.1% lower than costs at McPherson College ($6,930 vs. $9,918)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 156.7% larger than aid received Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($21,916 vs. $8,539)

McPherson College vs. SWOSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (990) is 50 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming SWOSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman SWOSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • SWOSU has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

McPherson College vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (46% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn on average $4,400 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $44,200)
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University students graduate with a $10,313 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($15,687 vs. $26,000)
  • SWOSU graduates are paying $106 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($162 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWOSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 54%)

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