Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
McPherson, Kansas
83.8% Acceptance Rate
McPherson College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.8%Acceptance Rate
3.33Avg GPA
1068Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$48,404Annual Cost
$52,084Grad Salary
33.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.8%
Avg GPA
3.33
Avg SAT
1068
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
936–1126
ACT Middle 50%
17–24
Need-Based Aid
33.6% receive Pell
McPherson College, established in 1887 in McPherson, Kansas, is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. Specializing in automotive restoration and education, it offers hands-on programs on its 27-acre campus. Unranked nationally, it emphasizes experiential learning and community engagement in a small-town setting.
McPherson College Acceptance Rate
Admission at McPherson College is inclusive by design: 83.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.88
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
McPherson College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at McPherson College is 3.33. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.03–3.33 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.53–3.73.McPherson College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.93 – 3.12
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.92
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Auto Restoration admission is separate from general admission, decided via Slideroom portfolio in two annual rounds (Oct. 31 and Jan. 31 deadlines).
- Enrollment is capped at 50 new students per year, including only 5 degree-holding transfer slots.
- AR students cannot simultaneously compete as college athletes due to real scheduling conflicts between the program and athletics.
- McPherson charges no general application fee, but AR program acceptance requires a separate $250 deposit versus $150 for general admission.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at McPherson College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from McPherson College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
McPherson College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at McPherson College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into McPherson College Without SAT or ACT?
McPherson College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
McPherson College Average SAT Score: 1068
Admitted students at McPherson College average a 1068 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1068 — Accessible
A 1068 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1126 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? McPherson College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 936? A retake is worth it at McPherson College — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 511 | 468 | 553 |
| SAT Reading | 521 | 468 | 573 |
| SAT Composite | 1068 | 936 | 1126 |
A score under 936 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1126+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into McPherson College with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in McPherson College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
McPherson College ACT Requirements
McPherson College's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 24 |
Can I get into McPherson College with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of McPherson College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, McPherson College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for McPherson College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
McPherson College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Apply to the Auto Restoration Portfolio Round Even If It Feels Early
Automotive Restoration Technology admission is entirely separate from general college admission and runs through Slideroom in two rounds: portfolios due Oct. 31 for a November acceptance decision, or Jan. 31 for a February decision. Because the program caps enrollment at 50 new students (including only 5 degree-holding transfer slots), submit for the first round even with a less-polished portfolio - waiting for the "better" second round risks the program filling before you apply.
Substitute Adjacent Craftsmanship for Missing Restoration Experience
The required 6?25 image portfolio explicitly states that personal restoration experience is a plus but not mandatory - examples of skill and craftsmanship in other areas (woodworking, welding, fine art, mechanical repair) are acceptable, and reviewers specifically value images showing a progression of work over single finished pieces. If a student hasn't touched a classic car, document any hands-on project that shows sustained skill development instead of skipping the program.
Resolve the Athletics-vs-Program Conflict Before You Commit
McPherson explicitly states that Automotive Restoration classes and activities regularly conflict with athletic practices and competitions, and students enrolled in the program cannot compete as college athletes. A recruited athlete considering this program needs to have an honest conversation with both the coaching staff and AR faculty before enrolling - this is a real either/or, not a schedulable overlap.
Budget for the Program-Specific Deposit, Not Just the General One
McPherson charges no general application fee, but AR program acceptance requires a $250 non-refundable deposit (versus $150 for general admission), with $200 applied to tuition. Don't submit this deposit until you've received formal program acceptance - a general college acceptance letter is not the same as AR program acceptance, and depositing early won't reserve or guarantee a spot.
Expert Insight:
Students and families sometimes assume that being accepted to McPherson College automatically includes a spot in the Automotive Restoration Technology program because it's the school's signature offering. In reality it's a separate, competitive, portfolio-and-interview process with a hard cap - a strong general application says nothing about your standing for the AR-specific decision, which is evaluated independently by program faculty.
McPherson College Profile
Full Name
McPherson College
City
McPherson
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
67460-1402
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a McPherson College Degree Worth It?
Whether McPherson College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,300, and graduates see a 2.62% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from McPherson College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $48,404/year at McPherson College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At McPherson College, 33.6% receive a Pell Grant and 63.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming McPherson College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a McPherson College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, McPherson College graduates report a median income of $52,084, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than McPherson College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as McPherson College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than McPherson College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at McPherson College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About McPherson College Admissions
McPherson College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,084/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at McPherson College is moderate, around $48,404/year; many students supplement with aid.
33.6% of McPherson College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
McPherson College's acceptance rate is 83.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted McPherson College students is 3.33, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.03 puts you in the standard applicant pool at McPherson College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.93 or below makes admission tougher at McPherson College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
McPherson College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1068, and within the 936–1126 range, keeps you competitive.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.