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McPherson College vs Southwestern College

McPherson College is a private college in McPherson, KS. Southwestern College is a private college in Winfield, KS. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants and McPherson College about 77%, making Southwestern College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $26,441 a year at McPherson College after aid, and about $29,824 at Southwestern College. About 44% of students graduate at McPherson College, compared with 35% at Southwestern College. Ten years after enrolling, Southwestern College alumni earn a median of about $55,646, against $52,084 for McPherson College.

McPherson College

McPherson, KS · Private

Southwestern College

Winfield, KS · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
McPherson, KS
Winfield, KS
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
872
924
Acceptance rate
77%
76%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.34–3.84
3.35–3.85
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1200
900–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
18–23
17–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,441
$29,824
Full cost / yr
$50,611
$58,432
In-state tuition
$37,310
$39,822
Out-of-state tuition
$37,310
$39,822
Application fee
$0
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$22,587
$26,294
$30k - $48k
$20,939
$28,688
$48k - $75k
$28,655
$30,032
$75k - $110k
$28,737
$31,315
Over $110k
$31,043
$32,739
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
35%
Freshman retention
65%
56%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,446
$48,034
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,084
$55,646
Median debt at graduation
$25,242
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
38%
41%
First-generation students
31%
40%
International students
6%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is McPherson College or Southwestern College harder to get into?
Southwestern College is harder to get into. It admits about 76% of applicants, compared with 77% at McPherson College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, McPherson College or Southwestern College?
McPherson College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $26,441 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,824 at Southwestern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at McPherson College and Southwestern College?
Before aid, McPherson College costs about $50,611 a year and Southwestern College about $58,432. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, McPherson College or Southwestern College?
McPherson College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $22,587 there, against about $26,294 at Southwestern College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, McPherson College or Southwestern College?
Southwestern College is the larger of the two, with about 924 undergraduates against 872 at McPherson College.
Does McPherson College or Southwestern College have a better graduation rate?
McPherson College has the higher graduation rate, at about 44% against 35% at Southwestern College.
Do graduates of McPherson College or Southwestern College earn more?
Southwestern College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $55,646 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,084 for McPherson College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do McPherson College and Southwestern College require SAT or ACT scores?
McPherson College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwestern College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do McPherson College and Southwestern College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1200 at McPherson College and 900–1220 at Southwestern College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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