McPherson College vs Messenger College
McPherson College and Messenger College, while sharing similarities as private, four-year institutions, offer distinct experiences for prospective students. McPherson College, rooted in its Christian heritage, boasts a tight-knit community with a lower acceptance rate of 68% compared to Messenger College's 85%. Messenger College, on the other hand, offers a more diverse student body, with international students making up 15% of its population compared to McPherson's 2%. Both colleges excel in different areas of study, with McPherson specializing in health professions and Messenger excelling in business and engineering. While McPherson boasts a higher graduation rate of 65% compared to Messenger's 58%, Messenger offers a more affordable option with an average net price of $22,000 compared to McPherson's $30,000. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() McPherson College |
![]() Messenger College |
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Overview |
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Location | McPherson, Kansas | Bedford, Texas |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 66.0% | 50.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Anabaptists | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.6% | 100.0% |
Application fees | $35 | |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 884 | 8 |
Total number of admissions given out | 748 | 8 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 271 | 7 |
Yield rate | 36.2% | 87.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $50,234 | $26,341 |
Average net price | $24,693 | $14,115 |
Tuition | $31,396 | $8,400 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,850
Meal plan:
$5,082
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $20,222 |
100.0%
Average amount $8,310 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $5,328 |
100.0%
Average amount $5,500 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,570 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
830
Men 67.1% Women 32.9% |
31
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
Graduate students |
12
Men 25.0% Women 75.0% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 75.0% |
International students | 7.0% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 662 | 68 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Arkansas Colorado Oklahoma Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.6% | 46.1% |
Dropout rate | 47.4% | 38.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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N/A |
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