Wartburg College vs. McPherson College

Should I go to Wartburg College or McPherson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wartburg College or McPherson 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. 

Grand View University ISU UIU UNI Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College Simpson College Central College Augustana
Wartburg College vs. McPherson College comparison
Wartburg College McPherson College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Wartburg College McPherson College
Location Waverly, IA McPherson, KS
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,444 822
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #654
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wartburg.edu mcpherson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Wartburg College McPherson College
Tuition (In State) $46,740 $32,494
Tuition (Out of State) $46,740 $32,494
Room & Board $10,280 $9,918
Avg Net Price $23,683 $25,065
Avg Grant Aid $36,157 $21,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

 Wartburg College McPherson College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,779 1,445
Admitted 2,708 952
Acceptance Rate 97.4% 65.9%
Enrolled % 13% 26.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 970/1120 908/1120
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

Academics

 Wartburg College McPherson College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Wartburg College McPherson College
Graduation Rate 63% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,100 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

 Wartburg College McPherson College
% Men 49% 67%
% Women 51% 33%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 70%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

 Wartburg College McPherson College
% In-State 70% 31%
% Out-of-State 27% 62%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wartburg College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,444 students vs. 822 students)

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

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

  • Wartburg College is 43.8% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($46,740.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.8% higher at Wartburg College than McPherson College ($46,740.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wartburg College than McPherson College ($23,683 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 3.6% lower than costs at Wartburg College ($9,918 vs. $10,280)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 65% larger than aid received McPherson College ($36,157 vs. $21,916)

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wartburg College (1105) is 165 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Wartburg College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Wartburg College is higher than McPherson College (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Wartburg College earn on average $3,900 more per year than McPherson College graduates after ten years. ($48,100 vs. $44,200)
  • McPherson College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Wartburg College graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • McPherson College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Wartburg College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 67%)

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