McPherson College vs. Union College

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

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McPherson College vs. Union College comparison
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Overview

McPherson College Union College
Location McPherson, KS Barbourville, KY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 788 1,129
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #980
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu unionky.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McPherson College Union College
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $28,737
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $28,737
Room & Board $10,322 $8,261
Avg Net Price $25,490 $19,223
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $24,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

McPherson College Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 834
Admitted 1,013 459
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 55%
Enrolled % 23.8% 43.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.15
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 14/21
SAT Range 936/1126 920/1105
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, 2026

Academics

McPherson College Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

McPherson College Union College
Graduation Rate 46% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $34,800
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $248

Diversity

McPherson College Union College
% Men 0% 21%
% Women 0% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 72%
% Black 10% 12%
% Hispanic 12% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

McPherson College Union College
% In-State 27% 58%
% Out-of-State 69% 28%

Campus

McPherson College Union College
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

  • Union College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,129 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

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

  • McPherson College is 18.6% more expensive to attend than Union College for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.6% higher at McPherson College than Union College ($34,072.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union College than McPherson College ($19,223 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 24.9% lower than costs at McPherson College ($8,261 vs. $10,322)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Union College (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 7.7% larger than aid received McPherson College ($24,684 vs. $22,929)

McPherson College vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Union College (970) is 30 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Union College (55%)

McPherson College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or Union 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 Union College and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Union College (46% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $9,400 more per year than Union College graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $34,800)
  • Union College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($24,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Union College graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($248 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 42%)

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