McPherson College vs. BLC

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

WLC Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College
McPherson College vs. Bethany Lutheran College comparison
McPherson College Bethany Lutheran College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 McPherson College BLC
Location McPherson, KS Mankato, MN
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 822 830
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Other (none of the above) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu blc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College BLC
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $28,330
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $28,330
Room & Board $9,918 $8,270
Avg Net Price $25,065 $18,525
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $20,705
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College BLC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 665
Admitted 952 389
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 58.5%
Enrolled % 26.3% 45.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.51
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/25
SAT Range 908/1120 990/1290
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, 2024 Jul 1, 2024

Academics

 McPherson College BLC
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College BLC
Graduation Rate 46% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $37,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $240

Diversity

 McPherson College BLC
% Men 67% 48%
% Women 33% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 88%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 McPherson College BLC
% In-State 31% 59%
% Out-of-State 62% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethany Lutheran College is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (830 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or BLC?

  • McPherson College is 14.7% more expensive to attend than BLC for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.7% higher at McPherson College than Bethany Lutheran College ($32,494.00 vs. $28,330.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethany Lutheran College than McPherson College ($18,525 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 19.9% lower than costs at McPherson College ($8,270 vs. $9,918)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Bethany Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 5.8% larger than aid received Bethany Lutheran College ($21,916 vs. $20,705)

McPherson College vs. BLC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bethany Lutheran College (1074) is 134 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming BLC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (65.9%) than BLC (58.5%)

McPherson College vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson College or BLC? 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 BLC and McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at BLC is higher than McPherson College (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $6,900 more per year than BLC graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $37,300)
  • Bethany Lutheran College students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,000)
  • BLC graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($240 vs. $268)
  • More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 67%)

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