PUC vs. McPherson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA with McPherson College in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Union College is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (974 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Union College 12:1; McPherson College 16:1.

PUC vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 Pacific Union College than McPherson College ($22,767 vs. $27,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 14.6% lower than at McPherson College ($9,816 vs. $11,498).
• McPherson College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PUC (about $137 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at McPherson College than at Pacific Union College (about $137 more per year; $37,310.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College as at McPherson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 13.3% larger than aid received by McPherson College students ($26,629 vs. $23,513).

PUC vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McPherson College (1080) is 20 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming PUC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; McPherson College 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; McPherson College 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - Test-free; McPherson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at PUC (3.24).
• McPherson College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

PUC vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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).

• McPherson College's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than McPherson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McPherson College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, McPherson College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($268 vs. $310).
• More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

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.