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John R. Wright HouseJohn R. Wright House · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near McPherson

McPherson is home to two colleges, with 1,098 students on campus

McPherson College (788 students on campus) and Central Christian College of Kansas (310) are inside the city. About 11% of McPherson’s residents are enrolled in college, above Kansas (7%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of McPherson. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
1,734 students on campus
Nearest college
0.9 mi
Central Christian College of Kansas
Residents in college
11%
Above KS (7%)
Nearest community college
25.1 mi
Hutchinson · $3,540 tuition
Nearest public university
49.3 mi
Wichita State · $9,684 in-state
Median household income
$78K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in McPherson

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college in McPhersonCentral Christian College of Kansas has 310 students on campus in McPherson, 27% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 25.1 miles awayHutchinson Community College in Hutchinson: tuition and fees $3,540 a year for Kansas residents.In-state price at Wichita StateLiving in Kansas, Wichita State University charges $9,684 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $19,869. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 11% of residentsAbove Kansas (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of McPherson

Three private colleges within 14.6 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Wichita State University, is 49.3 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miMcPherson CollegeBethany CollegeCentral Christian College of KansasMcPherson
University or collegeCommunity college
Central Christian College of KansasUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 310 on campus · In McPherson53%admitted$11knet price27%graduate$44kearningsMcPherson CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 788 on campus · In McPherson77%admitted$26knet price34%graduate$52kearningsBethany CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 636 on campus · 14.6 mi · Lindsborg56%admitted$28knet price36%graduate$50kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where McPherson’s median household income ($77,529) falls.

Wichita State University49.3 mi · Wichita · sticker $21,780$16,893a year
Central Christian College of KansasIn McPherson · sticker $33,327$17,373a year
McPherson CollegeIn McPherson · sticker $50,611$28,737a year
Bethany College14.6 mi · Lindsborg · sticker $53,738$30,580a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Central Christian College of KansasMcPherson CollegeBethany CollegeWichita State
Wichita State University51% graduate$52k earnings$20k typical debt
McPherson College34% graduate$52k earnings$25k typical debt
Bethany College36% graduate$50k earnings$23k typical debt
Central Christian College of Kansas27% graduate$44k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in McPherson

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across McPherson’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Engineering tech 16%Health professions 8%Parks & recreation 8%Liberal arts 8%Education 6%Everything else 32%

Biggest programs

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansMcPherson College · 32 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCentral Christian College of Kansas · 26 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralCentral Christian College of Kansas · 21 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCentral Christian College of Kansas · 17 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessMcPherson College · 17 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesCentral Christian College of Kansas · 4 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in McPherson

Is McPherson a college town?

No. About 11 of every 100 McPherson residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Kansas (7). The largest campus in the city, McPherson College, has 788 students on campus.

What colleges are in McPherson?

McPherson College and Central Christian College of Kansas are inside the city. Hutchinson Community College is 25.1 miles away in Hutchinson.

What is the closest community college to McPherson, and what does it cost?

Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, 25.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,540 a year for Kansas residents; the federal net price, $6,727, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Wichita State University cost if we live in Kansas?

Tuition and fees are $9,684 a year in-state and $19,869 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,734 (under $30,000 income) to $19,184 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of McPherson. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →