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McKendree University
McKendree University says yes to 71.7% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $58,572 median earnings.
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McKendree University occupies suburban Lebanon, IL — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $79,916 four years out. 33.6% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 1,752 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 67.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
McKendree University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, McKendree University received 2,652 applications and admitted 1,694 (63.9%), with 436 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. McKendree University's 71.7% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How McKendree University compares
| McKendree University | Illinois median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 71.7% | 77% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $34,740 | $31,360 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $58,572 | $58,572 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors McKendree University: $58,572 median at year ten, versus $58,572 across Illinois institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $34,740 regardless of where you're from. At McKendree University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Enrollment sits at 1,752 — McKendree University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
53.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 47% don't — ask a McKendree University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at McKendree University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,916 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $69,002 |
| Marketing | $65,696 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $63,519 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,361 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,173 |
| Biology, General | $59,238 |
| Biopsychology | $58,057 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,784 |
| Sociology | $52,428 |
| Psychology, General | $37,892 |
Median earnings for these 11 McKendree University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $58,572 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 34 additional McKendree University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for McKendree University?
McKendree University doesn't look at test scores; its 71.7% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is McKendree University's acceptance rate?
63.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,694 admitted from 2,652 applicants.
How much does McKendree University cost?
At McKendree University, published tuition is $34,740 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is McKendree University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do McKendree University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $58,572 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Illinois
- Millikin University — 66.7% admitted
- Loyola University Chicago — 81.6% admitted
- Moody Bible Institute — 82.7% admitted
- Lewis University — 71.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.