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Kansas Wesleyan University vs McPherson College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Salina KS · vs · Private nonprofit, McPherson KS

The verdict

McPherson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,764 in 28.4 years versus 32.5 years at Kansas Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $52,084 vs $51,152 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKansas Wesleyan UniversityMcPherson College
Net price / yr$22,671$26,441
Total net cost$90,684$105,764
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,152$52,084
Median debt$23,250$25,242
Payback32.5 yrs28.4 yrs
20-year net return-$34,844-$31,284

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College?

Kansas Wesleyan University, at $22,671 a year after aid versus $26,441 — a gap of $3,770 a year, or $15,080 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College graduates earn more?

McPherson College graduates report a median $52,084 ten years after entry, $932 more than the $51,152 at Kansas Wesleyan University. 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, Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College?

Kansas Wesleyan University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $25,242 at McPherson College, a difference of $1,992. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Kansas Wesleyan 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.

Kansas Wesleyan University vs McPherson College: frequently asked questions

Is Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College a better value?
McPherson College. It clears its $105,764 net cost in about 28.4 years versus 32.5 years at Kansas Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $52,084 vs $51,152 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College?
Kansas Wesleyan University: $22,671/yr net price after aid versus $26,441/yr at McPherson College — a difference of $3,770 a year, or about $15,080 over four years.
Do Kansas Wesleyan University or McPherson College graduates earn more?
McPherson College graduates earn a median $52,084 ten years after entry, versus $51,152 at Kansas Wesleyan University — a $932 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.