Simpson University vs. McPherson College

Deciding between Simpson University and McPherson College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Simpson University Redding, CA
  • McPherson College McPherson, KS
  • Setting
  • Simpson University Rural Fringe
  • McPherson College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Simpson University 992
  • McPherson College 878
  • Type
  • Simpson University Private 4 Year
  • McPherson College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Simpson University
  • McPherson College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Simpson University Christ and Missionary Alliance Church
  • McPherson College Church of Brethren
  • Status
  • Simpson University Non-profit
  • McPherson College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Simpson University
  • McPherson College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Simpson University $39,708
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Simpson University $39,708
  • McPherson College $37,310
  • Room & Board
  • Simpson University $11,900
  • McPherson College $11,498
  • Average Net Price
  • Simpson University $28,653
  • McPherson College $27,110
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Simpson University $25,937
  • McPherson College $23,513
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Simpson University 100%
  • McPherson College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Simpson University 823
  • McPherson College 1,846
  • Admitted
  • Simpson University 708
  • McPherson College 1,417
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Simpson University 86%
  • McPherson College 76.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Simpson University 24.2%
  • McPherson College 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simpson University 1070
  • McPherson College 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simpson University 24
  • McPherson College 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Simpson University 3.4
  • McPherson College 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Simpson University B+
  • McPherson College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Simpson University Moderate
  • McPherson College Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Simpson University
  • McPherson College
  • ACT Range
  • Simpson University 21/28
  • McPherson College 18/23
  • SAT Range
  • Simpson University 960/1185
  • McPherson College 960/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Simpson University Test-free
  • McPherson College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Simpson University Aug 1, 2027
  • McPherson College Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Simpson University 17:1
  • McPherson College 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Simpson University
    • Business (24%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
  • McPherson College
    • Business (22%)
    • Engineering Technology (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Simpson University 43%
  • McPherson College 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Simpson University $38,200
  • McPherson College $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Simpson University 67%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Simpson University $16,668
  • McPherson College $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Simpson University $172
  • McPherson College $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Simpson University 52%
  • McPherson College 67%
  • % Women
  • Simpson University 48%
  • McPherson College 33%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Simpson University Medium
  • McPherson College Medium
  • HBCU
  • Simpson University No
  • McPherson College No
  • % White
  • Simpson University 60%
  • McPherson College 70%
  • % Asian
  • Simpson University 4%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Black
  • Simpson University 4%
  • McPherson College 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Simpson University 12%
  • McPherson College 12%
  • % Native American
  • Simpson University 4%
  • McPherson College 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Simpson University 0%
  • McPherson College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Simpson University 3%
  • McPherson College 2%
  • % International
  • Simpson University 2%
  • McPherson College 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Simpson University 12%
  • McPherson College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Simpson University 75%
  • McPherson College 26%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Simpson University 22%
  • McPherson College 70%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Simpson University Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Simpson University No
  • McPherson College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Simpson University Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Simpson University Yes
  • McPherson College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Simpson University No
  • McPherson College No

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson University in Redding, CA with McPherson College in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Simpson University is larger than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (992 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Simpson University is located in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting); McPherson College is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McPherson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Simpson University 17:1; McPherson College 16:1.

Simpson University vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University 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 McPherson College than Simpson University ($27,110 vs. $28,653).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McPherson College are 3.4% lower than at Simpson University ($11,498 vs. $11,900).
  • Simpson University is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than McPherson College (about $2,398 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $37,310.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Simpson University than at McPherson College (about $2,398 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $37,310.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University as at McPherson College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 10.3% larger than aid received by McPherson College students ($25,937 vs. $23,513).

Simpson University vs. McPherson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University 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 Simpson University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McPherson College (1080) is 10 points higher than at Simpson University (1070).
  • Incoming Simpson University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at McPherson College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 960/1185; McPherson College 960/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 21/28; McPherson College 18/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson University - Test-free; McPherson College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simpson University Aug 1, 2027; McPherson College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Simpson University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at McPherson College (3.33).
  • Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than McPherson College (76.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at Simpson University vs. 22.4% at McPherson College.

Simpson University vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson University 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 Simpson University's (43%).
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $9,332 lower median loan debt than McPherson College graduates ($16,668 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McPherson College graduates ($172 vs. $268).
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 67%)

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.