McPherson College vs. UNK

Should I go to McPherson College or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or UNK 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. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
McPherson College University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

 McPherson College UNK
Location McPherson, KS Kearney, NE
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 788 6,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #574
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College UNK
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $6,450
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $12,418
Room & Board $10,322 $11,936
Avg Net Price $25,490 $16,249
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $8,779
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

 McPherson College UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 7,253
Admitted 1,013 6,222
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 85.8%
Enrolled % 23.8% 14.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 18/25
SAT Range 936/1126 970/1150
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 15, 2025

Academics

 McPherson College UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College UNK
Graduation Rate 46% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $219

Diversity

 McPherson College UNK
% Men 0% 8%
% Women 0% 22%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 79%
% Black 10% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 McPherson College UNK
% In-State 27% 86%
% Out-of-State 69% 9%

Campus

 McPherson College UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (6,017 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or UNK?

  • McPherson College is 428.2% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $6,450.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 174.4% higher at McPherson College than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($34,072.00 vs. $12,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than McPherson College ($16,249 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 15.6% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,322 vs. $11,936)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 161.2% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($22,929 vs. $8,779)

McPherson College vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 109 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than McPherson College (83.8%)

McPherson College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than McPherson College (61% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $800 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($21,250 vs. $26,000)
  • UNK graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($219 vs. $268)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

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