McPherson College
#4 Best Psychology Colleges in Kansas- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,084 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $26,441 D
- 54% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Psychology Colleges in Kansas.
Every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,291,921.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 28% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 44% — 24% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.41% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why McPherson College Matters
McPherson College is a private college in McPherson, KS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 872
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 58
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Psychology
Why students choose McPherson College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 960–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,441 a year after grants and scholarships — 54% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,084 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $25,242 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 7% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 872 students and an acceptance rate of 77%, McPherson College caters to a diverse range of individuals who are looking for a supportive academic environment. It's particularly appealing for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and Social Sciences. The focus on these programs suggests a commitment to equipping students with practical skills and knowledge that are in demand in today’s job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $52,084 within ten years. This figure reflects the potential for solid career outcomes, especially for those who take full advantage of the college's career services and networking opportunities. With a net price of $26,441 after financial aid, McPherson College positions itself as an affordable choice for many families. The 38% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates a commitment to supporting those from lower-income backgrounds, which can help ease financial burdens as graduates enter the workforce.
Looking at the practical aspects, the median debt for students is $25,242, which is manageable given the earning potential post-graduation. Those who thrive here often appreciate a smaller campus community where they can form meaningful connections and receive personalized attention from faculty. If you're someone who values a close-knit environment and practical education, McPherson College could be a great fit for you.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective McPherson College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into McPherson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in McPherson, Kansas, McPherson College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,058. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1058
- SAT Range
- 960–1200
- ACT Range
- 18–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 92%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,375
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 1,445
- Admitted
- 952
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend McPherson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McPherson College is $37,310, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,441. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,587 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,242 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,310
- Out-of-State
- $37,310
- Avg Net Price
- $26,441
- Median Debt
- $25,242
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 64%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,587
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,939
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $28,655
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,043
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at McPherson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is McPherson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McPherson College earn a median of $52,084, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,446
- 8 Years
- $42,708
- 10 Years
- $52,084
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (47)
- 31%
- 100% (47)
- 31%
- 100% (47)
- 31%
- 100% (47)
- 31%
How McPherson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is McPherson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, McPherson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,441/year ($105,764 total). Graduates earn $52,084 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,397,685 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,291,921 (13.2× your investment). The median debt is $25,242, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $105,764
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,397,685
- Net Return
- $1,291,921
- ROI Multiple
- 13.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,441
- Median Debt
- $25,242
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does McPherson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McPherson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.41%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 29.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $95,105
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $665,975
- Investment Income
- $-1,709,972
Top Programs
The fields McPherson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $45,391 early-career
- Health Professions 12%
- Communications 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Education 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Social Sciences 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for McPherson College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into McPherson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in McPherson, Kansas, McPherson College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,058. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend McPherson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McPherson College is $37,310, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,441. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,587 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,242 in federal student loans.
Is McPherson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McPherson College earn a median of $52,084, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does McPherson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McPherson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is McPherson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at McPherson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to McPherson College.
- Southwestern CollegeWinfield, KS · Close peer35% grad $55,646 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityFond Du Lac, WI · Close peer43% grad $53,501 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN · Close peer52% grad $48,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer50% grad $50,416 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa, KS · Close peer28% grad $55,552 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Chestnut Hill CollegePhiladelphia, PA · Close peer53% grad $52,015 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is McPherson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at McPherson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note