McPherson College vs. SAU

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

Albion College Bethel College-North Newton Southwestern College Cornerstone University GVSU Olivet Nazarene University Ferris State University Cedarville University
McPherson College vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
McPherson College Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 McPherson College SAU
Location McPherson, KS Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 822 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College SAU
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $31,020
Room & Board $9,918 $10,652
Avg Net Price $25,065 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 McPherson College SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 2,312
Admitted 952 1,094
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 47.3%
Enrolled % 26.3% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/26
SAT Range 908/1120 970/1135
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

Academics

 McPherson College SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College SAU
Graduation Rate 46% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $268 $248

Diversity

 McPherson College SAU
% Men 67% 23%
% Women 33% 77%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 77%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

 McPherson College SAU
% In-State 31% 83%
% Out-of-State 62% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McPherson College or SAU?

  • McPherson College is 4.8% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.8% higher at McPherson College than Spring Arbor University ($32,494.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than McPherson College ($22,375 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 7.4% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($9,918 vs. $10,652)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 6% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($21,916 vs. $20,677)

McPherson College vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 133 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (65.9%) than SAU (47.3%)

McPherson College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than McPherson College (56% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $1,600 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $1,957 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($24,043 vs. $26,000)
  • SAU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($248 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 58%)

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