McPherson College
McPherson, Kansas · Private Nonprofit · 76.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 36/100 · Poor Value
McPherson College earns a CampusROI score of 36 out of 100, placing it in the Poor Value tier. This Church of the Brethren liberal-arts college in central Kansas charges a high private-school sticker of $37,310 in tuition but discounts heavily; net price after aid is $26,441 per year, with four-year cost still landing at $105,764. The earnings premium of 16.2% over high-school-only peers is modest, the payback period is 14.4 years, and the 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio against $25,242 in median federal debt produces middling sub-scores. Median earnings six years after entry are $37,900 and reach $52,084 by year ten. The bright spot is the repayment rate of 82.7% (sub-score 78), which is above average and suggests graduates do find stable employment and make payments. The drag is the 33.9% completion rate, which lands a sub-score of 14. McPherson is best known for its Automotive Restoration Technology program, a niche specialty that draws a national audience but represents a small slice of total enrollment. For students in the right programs (engineering tech, automotive restoration), the school can deliver real value; for students in general liberal-arts tracks, the math is harder.
The data raises concerns about McPherson College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score36/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate33.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
McPherson College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,310/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,310/yr |
| Average net price | $26,441/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $105,764 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,084 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,242 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $268 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 33.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 872 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at McPherson College is $37,310/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $26,441/year, or roughly $105,764 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,587/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,043/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,242 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $268 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,084 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.67 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,587 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,939 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,655 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,737 |
| $110,001+ | $31,043 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 face an average net price of $22,587 per year, totaling roughly $90,300 across four years. With ten-year median earnings of $52,084, this is a stretch even with strong Pell stacking. Low-income students should pressure-test the aid package against University of Kansas or Kansas State alternatives where in-state pricing produces dramatically better debt outcomes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001 to $48,000 bracket actually pays slightly less at $20,939 per year, the lowest-cost bracket on the page, suggesting institutional aid is targeted at lower-middle-income students. The $48,001 to $75,000 bracket then jumps to $28,655 and the $75,001 to $110,000 bracket holds at $28,737. Four-year totals for the upper-middle brackets approach $115,000.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $31,043 per year, near full sticker. Four-year cost approaches $124,200. At this price tier, McPherson's value proposition is concentrated entirely in specialty programs (Auto Restoration); families paying near sticker for a general liberal-arts or business credential should weigh it carefully against in-state public alternatives with stronger completion outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at McPherson College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $52,781 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,331 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates 32 students per cohort, the largest reported program at McPherson. Year-one earnings of $42,278 climb to $52,781 by year four. With $27,000 in median debt, the 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a C ROI grade. This program is the financial backbone of the school's reported data and reflects a real labor-market premium for technically credentialed graduates. Many students in this track are tied to the automotive-restoration ecosystem and take roles in restoration shops, classic-car auctions, and museum settings.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 17 students per cohort. Year-one earnings and debt are not reported, but year-four earnings reach $48,331, which is on the higher end for this major nationally. Without the debt and one-year data, the ROI grade is unreported. Students choosing this track should expect to pair it with PT, OT, or athletic-training graduate programs to convert the credential into durable earnings; a stand-alone undergraduate kinesiology degree typically does not deliver labor-market returns at private-school prices.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 71.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 75.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 490-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 470-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-23 |
| Enrollment | 872 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,375 |
McPherson admits 76.8% of applicants, making it broadly accessible to prepared Kansas applicants. Reported SAT mid-ranges run 490 to 580 in math and 470 to 620 in reading; ACT composite is 18 to 23. The bands sit modestly below national averages, and the 33.9% completion rate suggests many admitted students arrive without strong academic momentum or leave for non-academic reasons.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer schools include Baker University, Benedictine College, Ottawa University-Surprise, Malone University, and Peirce College. Benedictine College is the strongest peer with notably better completion and earnings outcomes thanks to its larger size and stronger pre-professional programs. Baker University is a closer comparable, a small Kansas private with similar profile and similar weak completion numbers. Malone University and Ottawa University-Surprise are also closely comparable mid-size privates. Peirce College is structurally different (working-adult focused). Among true peers, McPherson is roughly in the middle.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson College (this school) | 36 | $26,441 | $52,084 |
| Baker University | 65 | $25,301 | $63,855 |
| Benedictine College | 45 | $27,891 | $53,175 |
| Peirce College | 38 | $12,148 | $50,660 |
| Malone University | 37 | $20,948 | $48,909 |
| Ottawa University-Surprise | 36 | $33,393 | $55,552 |
Who Thrives Here
McPherson serves about 872 students with a 37.9% Pell rate. The fit case is most concentrated for students drawn specifically to the Automotive Restoration program (a national draw) or the Mechanical Engineering Technology track, both of which produce reasonable financial outcomes. Students looking for general liberal-arts study or the Brethren denominational identity can find fit, though the cost-versus-earnings math is tight. The 82.7% repayment rate is a positive signal compared to peer privates with similar enrollment.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about McPherson College. With a net cost of $26,441 per year and median graduate earnings of only $52,084 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.4 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a 33.9% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,242 against $52,084 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.