McPherson College vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare McPherson College in McPherson, KS with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McPherson College is located in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McPherson College 16:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

McPherson College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or UNK? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than McPherson College ($16,287 vs. $27,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 5.7% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,498 vs. $12,198).
• McPherson College is 330% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $28,634 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.1% higher at McPherson College than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $22,026 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 140.5% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($23,513 vs. $9,776).

McPherson College vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McPherson College or UNK? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNK and McPherson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McPherson College (1080) is 60 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McPherson College 960/1200; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McPherson College 18/23; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McPherson College - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• 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 (89.5%) than McPherson College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at McPherson College vs. 18.5% at UNK.

McPherson College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McPherson College and UNK? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than McPherson College's (46%).
• Graduates from McPherson College earn a median of about $800 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($21,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.