Arkansas vs. McPherson College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with McPherson College in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; McPherson College 16:1.

Arkansas vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or McPherson College? 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 Arkansas than McPherson College ($18,408 vs. $27,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 19.3% lower than at University of Arkansas ($11,498 vs. $14,244).
• McPherson College is 269.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $27,206 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at McPherson College than at University of Arkansas (about $7,344 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at University of Arkansas (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 167.1% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($23,513 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or McPherson College? 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 McPherson College and Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas (1130) is 50 points higher than at McPherson College (1080).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; McPherson College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; McPherson College 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; McPherson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
• McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

Arkansas vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and McPherson College? 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 Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than McPherson College's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than McPherson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McPherson College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.