McPherson College vs. Wilson College

Should I go to McPherson College or Wilson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McPherson College or Wilson 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College
McPherson College vs. Wilson College comparison
McPherson College Wilson College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 McPherson College Wilson College
Location McPherson, KS Chambersburg, PA
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 788 1,694
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #945
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu wilson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Wilson College
Tuition (In State) $34,072 $25,950
Tuition (Out of State) $34,072 $25,950
Room & Board $10,322 $12,162
Avg Net Price $25,490 $21,567
Avg Grant Aid $22,929 $17,358
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 McPherson College Wilson College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 1,068
Admitted 1,013 961
Acceptance Rate 83.8% 90%
Enrolled % 23.8% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 936/1126 940/1110
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 Wilson College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (29%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Agriculture (11%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Wilson College
Graduation Rate 46% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

 McPherson College Wilson College
% Men 0% 7%
% Women 0% 23%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 66%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 15%

Students

 McPherson College Wilson College
% In-State 27% 64%
% Out-of-State 69% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wilson College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,694 students vs. 788 students)

McPherson College vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

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

  • McPherson College is 31.3% more expensive to attend than Wilson College for in-state tuition ($34,072.00 vs. $25,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.3% higher at McPherson College than Wilson College ($34,072.00 vs. $25,950.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilson College than McPherson College ($21,567 vs. $25,490)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 17.8% lower than costs at Wilson College ($10,322 vs. $12,162)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Wilson College (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 32.1% larger than aid received Wilson College ($22,929 vs. $17,358)

McPherson College vs. Wilson College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wilson College (941) is 1 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming McPherson College students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Wilson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than McPherson College (83.8%)

McPherson College vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Wilson College is higher than McPherson College (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $9,500 more per year than Wilson College graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $34,700)
  • Wilson College students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($25,750 vs. $26,000)
  • Wilson College graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilson College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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