At $24,837/yr net price, McPherson College graduates earn $52,084/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,084/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,837 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,348 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,084/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,084/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,242 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,869/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,172/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,387/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,314/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,232/yr |
The Risk Factor
52.0% of students at McPherson College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
McPherson College gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $52,084, and your median debt of $25,242 stays right about equal to one year's net price. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, meaning you would not be drowning in loans relative to what you earn. But the earnings figure is not high enough to make the nearly $25,000 yearly net price feel like a bargain.
The retention rate tells the clearer story. Only about 65% of first-year students come back, and just over half of you finish. That gap is the real financial risk here. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings bump the degree is supposed to pay for. Before enrolling, be honest about whether you will make it to graduation, because dropping out is where the money math turns bad.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families more. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $20,900 a year. over $110,000, you pay $28,200. That $7,300 yearly spread is real, but even the discounted price for low-income families is steep against a $52,000 median outcome.
This school fits you if you are committed to finishing and have a specific career path in mind that justifies a private-college price. If you are unsure about your major or your odds of graduating, a lower-cost public option would protect you better against the downside. The numbers here are not bad, but they leave little room for error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McPherson College worth the cost compared to other Kansas schools?
McPherson College's net price of $24,837 annually leads to median earnings of $52,084 after 10 years, which is below average for private colleges. With a 52% graduation rate, many students don't finish their degrees, making the investment riskier than state schools with better completion rates.
What is the average student debt at McPherson College and is it manageable?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $25,242, which is relatively manageable given the typical starting salaries. However, the 48% of students who don't graduate often carry debt without the degree to show for it.
Which programs at McPherson College offer the best return on investment?
McPherson College is known for its automotive restoration program and education degrees, which tend to lead to steady employment. Business and liberal arts programs show mixed results depending on the specific career path students pursue after graduation.
Does McPherson College provide enough financial aid to make attendance affordable?
The school reduces its sticker price significantly through aid, bringing the average net price to $24,837. This makes it more affordable than many private colleges, though students should compare total costs against likely earnings in their chosen field.