Friends University vs McPherson College: which has better ROI?
McPherson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,764 in 28.4 years versus 29.5 years at Friends University, on median earnings of $52,084 vs $52,113 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Friends University | McPherson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,715 | $26,441 |
| Total net cost | $110,860 | $105,764 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,113 | $52,084 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,242 |
| Payback | 29.5 yrs | 28.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$35,800 | -$31,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Friends University or McPherson College?
McPherson College, at $26,441 a year after aid versus $27,715 — a gap of $1,274 a year, or $5,096 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Friends University or McPherson College graduates earn more?
Friends University graduates report a median $52,113 ten years after entry, $29 more than the $52,084 at McPherson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Friends University or McPherson College?
Friends University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,242 at McPherson College, a difference of $242. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Friends University, against 34% at McPherson College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.