Wartburg College vs. McPherson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with McPherson College in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; McPherson College 16:1.

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College 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 Wartburg College than McPherson College ($24,031 vs. $27,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 2.1% lower than at Wartburg College ($11,498 vs. $11,750).
• McPherson College is 42.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $11,060 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.1% higher at McPherson College than at Wartburg College (about $11,060 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McPherson College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 71.5% larger than aid received by McPherson College students ($40,336 vs. $23,513).

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College 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 Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McPherson College (1080) is 10 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College 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: Wartburg College 930/1200; McPherson College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; McPherson College 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; McPherson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
• McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

Wartburg College vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than McPherson College's (46%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than McPherson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McPherson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, McPherson College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.