Dr. Steve Eckman, President | Bethany College
Dr. Steve Eckman, President | Bethany College
Data shows that students paid $29,443 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $889 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, McPherson College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $33,536. Bethany College followed with an average of $31,305 per year. Central Christian College of Kansas students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $20,650.
At the time, a total of $13.8 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the McPherson County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $3.1 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in McPherson County, including McPherson College, Central Christian College of Kansas, and Bethany College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Christian College of Kansas | 109 | $2,188,644 | $20,079 | 82 | $581,853 | $7,096 |
| Bethany College | 259 | $5,916,139 | $22,842 | 199 | $1,502,013 | $7,548 |
| McPherson College | 250 | $5,732,222 | $22,929 | 159 | $1,063,780 | $6,690 |
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