Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1411 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,708 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Mcpherson College in the 37.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1272 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1411 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Mcpherson, KS, Mcpherson College enrolls roughly 872 undergraduates. Retention stands at 65.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 33.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Mcpherson College performs strongest in return on investment. Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1272 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,708 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Mcpherson College in the 37.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused curriculum aligns with strong early-career earnings outcomes, reflecting employer demand for graduates in Business and related fields. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Mcpherson College enrolls 37.9% Pell-eligible students and 30.6% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution in the 32.0 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 17.7 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure and financial aid availability at a private master's institution. Mobility outcomes place the college in the 5.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Mcpherson College's published cost of attendance is $50,611. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,587, middle-income families pay around $28,655, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,043. Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1173 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,242, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $43,617; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at Mcpherson College's median four-year earnings of $50,934, median federal debt of $25,242 projects to a monthly payment of about $285 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
McPherson College is a strong fit for students drawn to business and applied fields who want a private college experience in McPherson, KS. Its outcomes are especially compelling for Pell-eligible and first-generation students, who benefit from broad access and strong graduation rates backed by earnings that exceed those of similar students at most institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,934, placing McPherson College in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,708 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 37.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.6% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 76.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Mcpherson College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Mcpherson College's published cost of attendance is $50,611. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,587, middle-income families pay around $28,655, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,043.
Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1173 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,242, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $43,617; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at Mcpherson College's median four-year earnings of $50,934, median federal debt of $25,242 projects to a monthly payment of about $285 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Mcpherson College earn median 4-year earnings of $50,934, placing Mcpherson College in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $57,042 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $4,708 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Mcpherson College in the 37.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Mcpherson College #1272 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These outcomes represent lifetime returns relative to KS's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,165. Mcpherson College's program portfolio centers on Business, which shapes the institution's earnings profile.
Business Administration is the largest program with 35 graduates. Among the most popular fields, Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians enrolls 28 students and leads to median 4-year earnings of $52,781, performing at 0.6x the national benchmark for the field.
The Kinesiology program graduates 15 students earning median 4-year earnings of $48,331, at 0.9x the national benchmark. Human Services, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General round out the top program cluster, each contributing to the institution's overall earnings trajectory.
The concentration in Business reflects Mcpherson College's academic focus and helps explain how graduates navigate the labor market after enrollment.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36202 ranked) | MN | 48% | $40,873 | #36202 | Compare |
Cleveland Institute Of Art Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36201 ranked) | OH | 61% | $42,509 | #36201 | Compare |
La Roche University Similar quality tier (#36207 ranked) | PA | 76% | $52,341 | #36207 | Compare |
Montreat College Similar quality tier (#36208 ranked) | NC | 69% | $45,151 | #36208 | Compare |
Edp University Of Puerto Rico-Manati Similar quality tier (#36209 ranked) | PR | 68% | $22,844 | #36209 | Compare |
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
28 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
15 graduates
Mcpherson College's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a small private college focused on career-ready outcomes. Business Administration is the largest program with 35 graduates, followed by Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians with 28 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $52,781, Kinesiology with 15 graduates earning $48,331, Human Services, General with 13 graduates, and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General with 8 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 126 students annually, the institution concentrates its academic portfolio in fields with direct labor-market pathways. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians leads with median 4-year earnings of $52,781 from 28 graduates, while Kinesiology delivers median earnings of $48,331 from 15 graduates. This earnings concentration reflects Mcpherson College's positioning as a career-focused institution where program selection directly influences early-career financial outcomes.
The program mix—with Business representing 23%, Arts at 5%, and Social Sciences at 5%—underscores the institution's emphasis on applied disciplines aligned with regional and national workforce demand. Most of Mcpherson College's programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with current labor-market conditions and wage trends across sectors.
