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
McPherson College Union College College 3 College 4
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Overview

 McPherson College Union College
Location McPherson, KS Lincoln, NE
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 822 694
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu ucollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Union College
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $25,920
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $25,920
Room & Board $9,918 $7,750
Avg Net Price $25,065 $23,462
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $15,293
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 940
Admitted 952 929
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 98.8%
Enrolled % 26.3% 9.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 908/1120 980/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 McPherson College Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Union College
Graduation Rate 46% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

 McPherson College Union College
% Men 67% 36%
% Women 33% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 55%
% Black 10% 8%
% Hispanic 12% 18%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 McPherson College Union College
% In-State 31% 22%
% Out-of-State 62% 59%

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

  • McPherson College is larger than than Union College based on total student enrollment (822 students vs. 694 students)

McPherson College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

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

  • McPherson College is 25.4% more expensive to attend than Union College for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $25,920.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.4% higher at McPherson College than Union College ($32,494.00 vs. $25,920.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union College than McPherson College ($23,462 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 28% lower than costs at McPherson College ($7,750 vs. $9,918)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Union College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 43.3% larger than aid received Union College ($21,916 vs. $15,293)

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 (1050) is 110 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Union College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Union College has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

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. 33%)
  • Graduates from Union College earn on average $2,000 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $44,200)
  • McPherson College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Union College graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • McPherson College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Union College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 58%)

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