McPherson College: 65.9% Acceptance Rate

65.9%Acceptance

$35,162Tuition

786Students

52%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$52,084Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Church of Brethren

About McPherson College

McPherson College draws students from across the country to central Kansas for its automotive restoration program, one of the few bachelor's degree programs in the field. With just 786 students, this small liberal arts college offers a tight-knit community where 67% of students are men, reflecting the school's strong technical programs alongside traditional liberal arts. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally, and the Church of Brethren affiliation creates a values-centered campus culture.

Students pay an average net price of $24,837 after financial aid, making this private college more affordable than many. Graduates earn a median of $52,084 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the typical debt load of $25,242. The 96.8% employment rate shows that employers value McPherson graduates, though the 52% six-year graduation rate suggests the academic rigor challenges some students.

Nearly half the student body (481 out of 786) plays varsity sports across 16 NAIA teams, making McPherson one of the most athletically active campuses in the country. The college awards over $6.8 million in athletic scholarships, helping recruit talent to rural Kansas. Only 27% of students come from Kansas, so most experience small-town life for the first time while building skills in specialized programs.

Academics & Faculty

McPherson College operates as a small liberal arts college where students work closely with faculty in a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The school is most famous for its automotive restoration program, one of only a handful in the country that teaches students to rebuild classic cars from the ground up. This hands-on approach extends across campus, where professors know students by name and can provide individual attention. The 4-year graduation rate sits at 50.76%, which reflects the challenges many small colleges face in keeping students enrolled through completion. Students here get a broad liberal arts foundation while also having access to unique technical programs that prepare them for specialized careers in restoration and related fields.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 94.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 50.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 52.0%
Retention Rate: 64.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $52,084
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Campus Life

McPherson sits in a small Kansas farming town about 60 miles north of Wichita, where Main Street feels like something from a movie. The campus houses 729 students in dorms, which covers nearly all of the 786 total enrollment, creating a tight residential community where everyone knows each other. You'll need a good winter coat for Kansas winds and snow, plus shorts for humid summers that hit the 90s.

With 67% men and only 33% women, the gender balance skews heavily male, largely thanks to the famous automotive restoration program that draws car enthusiasts from across the country. Students spend weekends working on classic cars in the program's garage, attending NAIA Bulldogs games, or driving to Hutchinson for movies and dinner since McPherson itself offers limited entertainment. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and often join students for meals in the dining hall. The Church of Brethren roots create a service-minded culture, though students of all backgrounds feel welcome on this prairie campus.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 729 beds
Calendar System: Four-One-Four
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1887

Campus Safety (2023)

12 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Rape	3	1
Burglary	3	0
Fondling	3	0
Aggravated Assault	1	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 18°–41°F
July Avg: 67°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 32.8"
Annual Snowfall: -761.2"

Student Demographics

McPherson attracts students from across the country, with 73% coming from outside Kansas, drawn largely by the college's famous automotive restoration program and hands-on learning approach. The student body is 67% male, reflecting the appeal of technical programs like automotive technology alongside traditional liberal arts offerings. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves middle-class families seeking practical career preparation. The Church of Brethren heritage creates a service-minded campus culture that appeals to students wanting both technical skills and values-based education in a small-town setting.

Men: 67.3%
Women: 32.7%
White: 51.7%
Black: 12.5%
Hispanic: 16.8%
Asian: 1.7%
In-State Students: 27.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 33.6%

Location

McPherson College sits in McPherson, Kansas, a town of about 13,000 people in the heart of the Great Plains. The campus is roughly 60 miles north of Wichita, the state's largest city, putting it in classic small-town Kansas territory surrounded by wheat fields and open prairie. McPherson itself revolves around the college and a few local industries, creating a tight community where students can't hide in the crowd. The 786-student enrollment means the college has a real presence in town, and students often form close relationships with local businesses and residents. The remote setting appeals to students who want to focus on academics without big-city distractions. Students considering colleges in Kansas may also compare McPherson College with similar schools in the region.

Address: McPherson, Kansas 67460-1402

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $52,084
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,574
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $37,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 65.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $268/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,242

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at McPherson College?

McPherson College accepts 65.88% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The average SAT score is 1014, with most admitted students scoring between 908 and 1120. This small Kansas liberal arts college looks for students who will thrive in its tight-knit community of 786 students.

How much does McPherson College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $24,837 after financial aid, which is less than the sticker price of $46,904. About 34% of students receive institutional grants averaging $21,916. Graduates typically leave with $25,242 in debt and monthly loan payments of $268.

What is the student-faculty ratio at McPherson College?

McPherson College maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring small class sizes and personal attention. The college is known for its automotive restoration program, which attracts students from across the country. With only 786 total students, professors know students by name and work closely with them on projects.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at McPherson College?

About 52% of students graduate within six years, and 96.8% find employment after graduation. Ten years after attending, graduates earn a median salary of $52,084. The college's specialized programs, particularly in automotive restoration, help students develop marketable skills in niche industries.

Where is McPherson College located and what is campus life like?

McPherson College sits in the small town of McPherson, Kansas, creating a remote but close-knit campus environment. Housing capacity is 729 students, accommodating nearly the entire student body of 786. The student body is 67% male and draws students from across the country, with only 27% coming from Kansas.

What makes McPherson College's automotive program unique?

McPherson College is nationally recognized for its automotive restoration program, one of the few four-year degree programs of its kind in the country. The college awards $6.8 million in athletic scholarships across 16 varsity sports, but it's the hands-on automotive training that truly sets it apart. Students work on classic cars and learn from industry professionals in state-of-the-art facilities.