Finance and Financial Management Services at McPherson College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 suggests this program could be manageable financially, though the small graduate cohort—too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes—means we're working with state-level estimates. Comparable finance programs in Kansas typically produce first-year earnings around $50,000, which tracks with what graduates from Kansas State, Pittsburg State, and Washburn are seeing. The estimated $25,800 in debt sits slightly above both state and national norms, but not dramatically so.

The challenge is context: top finance programs at University of Kansas and Benedictine College are placing graduates with first-year earnings $8,000-$9,000 higher. That gap compounds over a career. McPherson's 84% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a different student population than those flagship programs, which may explain both the accessibility and the earnings differential. For students who need that accessibility—perhaps those among the 34% receiving Pell grants—the question becomes whether the extra debt relative to peers justifies the opportunities a finance degree can open.

Without program-specific outcomes, you're betting on McPherson's ability to match what other Kansas finance programs deliver. If your student has admission offers from the higher-earning programs listed above, those merit serious consideration. If McPherson offers unique advantages—location, smaller classes, specific career placement support—get concrete evidence those factors translate to employment outcomes before committing.