McPherson College vs. Washburn University

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

 McPherson College Washburn University
Location McPherson, KS Topeka, KS
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 822 5,460
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu washburn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Washburn University
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $9,044
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $20,328
Room & Board $9,918 $10,040
Avg Net Price $25,065 $12,473
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $7,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College Washburn University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 -
Admitted 952 -
Acceptance Rate 65.9%
Enrolled % 26.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 908/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 McPherson College Washburn University
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%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Washburn University
Graduation Rate 46% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $16,900
Median Loan Payment $268 $174

Diversity

 McPherson College Washburn University
% Men 67% 36%
% Women 33% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 64%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 14%

Students

 McPherson College Washburn University
% In-State 31% 84%
% Out-of-State 62% 2%

Campus

 McPherson College Washburn University
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

  • Washburn University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (5,460 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or Washburn University?

  • McPherson College is 259.3% more expensive to attend than Washburn University for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $9,044.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.8% higher at McPherson College than Washburn University ($32,494.00 vs. $20,328.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washburn University than McPherson College ($12,473 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 1.2% lower than costs at Washburn University ($9,918 vs. $10,040)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Washburn University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 180.3% larger than aid received Washburn University ($21,916 vs. $7,818)

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

  • Accepted freshman Washburn University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at McPherson College (3.33)

McPherson College vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or Washburn University? 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 Washburn University and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Washburn University (46% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $1,900 more per year than Washburn University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $42,300)
  • Washburn University students graduate with a $9,100 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($16,900 vs. $26,000)
  • Washburn University graduates are paying $94 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($174 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washburn University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 49%)

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