By: Tristan Szabo
McPherson College is a liberal arts school tucked into the heart of Kansas, nearly an hour north of Wichita. Known for its impressive auto restoration program and its $1 billion endowment it received in July 2023, the college has built a solid reputation.
But what is McPherson College really like?
Everyday life at McPherson College can be seen as bland and ordinary. A recently graduated student, Braden Greene, made a comment during his interview, “I had a great time here at McPherson, but the days would blend, and going to class became difficult.”
Many students find college difficult and time-consuming. McPherson College is no different.
The college has a little over 800 students on campus. These students come from all over the world. According to McPherson College’s website, students reside in 33 states and more than 26 countries. Diversity and inclusion is not a problem here at McPherson College.
According to Niche.com, McPherson College is known for its safety, diversity and affordability. It also said the college welcomes everyone from all backgrounds to attend. The college is known for its welcoming culture.
Dylan Gantz spoke about his freshman year at McPherson: “Being a local Kansas kid is cool. I had ties to the college. Coach Fiscus recruited me to come play here, and it feels like family.”
He later talked about his ACE class that he had to take freshman year: “When you first arrive at the college, they put you into ACE groups. This is a class where you are graded on your participation in school events, and overall, it’s really about making friends and connections with your classmates.”
The ACE class that all incoming freshmen must take is a pivotal step in their time at McPherson College. It builds the foundation of their next four years. If you are an introvert or shy, ACE will allow you to grow and meet new people. Many students may not like the class, but they can appreciate their mentors and fellow classmates.
McPherson College is known for its impressive faculty and student relationships. On the professor and staff side, it was named a “Great College to Work For” for 10 years in a row. The college has created a culture that teachers enjoy as well. Professors are engaged in students’ lives both in the classroom and outside of it. Many faculty members attend sporting events, and some, like Kirk McGregor, even host barbecues at their homes for students.
The student-to-faculty ratio at McPherson College is 13-to-1. This is much lower than at most colleges and is a key point in the school’s success. As a freshman, many of your classes may exceed this number. Braden Greene said that his freshman year each of his classes had nearly 30 students. As he became a senior, most of his classes had 10 to 20 students.
Many students come to McPherson College to play sports or be a part of the auto restoration program. This sometimes leaves local students feeling isolated. McPherson College costs more than $40,000 a year on average before grants, loans and scholarships.
McPherson College offers a Student Debt Project. This program allows students who work while in college to receive 25 cents on the dollar from the college toward their tuition, based on their paychecks. This can help many students stay out of debt. The average college student in America has $32,000 in student debt, according to U.S. News & World Report.
So what do you really get at McPherson College?
McPherson College will prepare you for the workplace, whether that is business, health science, auto restoration, teaching or something else. After completing all four years at McPherson, you will be ready.
Many students don’t make it to their final year. According to Hayden Fry, he has seen many of his freshman friends leave. He recently attended the wedding of one of them — Teegan Shapard.
Shapard attended McPherson from 2021 to 2023. During his time there, he played football, juggled a long-distance relationship, and worked in Oklahoma on weekends. He was a star football player at the college but decided to leave before returning for his junior year.
His main reason for leaving was one many others share: McPherson just wasn’t the place he wanted to spend his college years. Shepard enjoyed his close friends and teammates but could not stand his coach, and school felt like a waste of time. Still, he is a living example that even if the school isn’t right for you, you can still make lifelong friendships.
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