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Messiah University

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Private
4 Year

Overview

Messiah College is a private liberal arts and sciences institution based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Brethren in Christ Church and has a “more selective” admissions process. Students are required to sign a Community Covenant upon admittance to the school that states that the student is Christian and will show academic integrity and make responsible decisions. Messiah offers 3-year degree programs, online summer courses, and 90% of students study abroad.

Acceptance Rate:
79%
Average Net Price:
$28,141
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.8
Average ACT Composite
27
Average SAT Composite
1213

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$28,141
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$40,640
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$40,640
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,910
Books and Supplies
$1460
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$21,592
$30k - $48k
$20,748
$48k - $75k
$23,119
$75k - $110k
$27,521
$110k+
$30,502
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
79%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$27,519
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,187
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$25,633

 

Students receiving state aid
22%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4046
Students receiving federal aid
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,187
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$39,129
$30k - $48k
$36,805
$48k - $75k
$35,767
$75k - $110k
$29,728
$110k+
$22,254
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$40,914,504
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$13,176,928

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
62%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,343
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$23,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$248
Students receiving federal loans
62%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$6,613
Average Other Loans Per Year
$9,725

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Interdenominational
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
79%
Acceptance Rate
2438
Students Applied
72%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
69
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is not checked
No
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Application Fee
$50
Fee waivers available
Applications Accepted
Online Application
Online Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
63%
Out-Of-State Students
34%
9%
Submitting ACT
57%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 27
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1213
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
540
75th
670
Reading
25th
550
75th
670
3.8
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA

3.75+
68%
3.50 - 3.74
13%
3.25 - 3.49
9%
3.00 - 3.24
6%
2.50 - 2.99
4%
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
31
Top 25%
62
Top 50%
90

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 800-233-4220
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
3,231
Total Number of Undergrads
2,495
0
100
75%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
79%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
13:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
51%
20-39 Students
44%
40-99 Students
3%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
92

Faculty Overview

0
100
57%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
39%
61%
Residency
In-State Students
63%
Out-Of-State Students
34%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
39
Countries Represented
22
Ethnicity
African American
3%
Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
Hispanic
8%
White
78%
Multiracial
4%
Unknown
1%
Percent of First Generation Students
18%
Student Organizations
83
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
Item is not checked
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
88%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
84%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Falcons
School Colors
navy blue and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
226
Total Female Athletes
205
Intramural Sports
5
Sports Club
1
Sports Team (Men)
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Field Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
Messiah University Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$50,500
Top 5 Cities
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Lancaster
New York
Washington
Top 5 Employers
Messiah College
The Collaboratory
Penn State Health, Hershey Medical Center
Penn State University
PinnacleHealth System
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Business Development
Community & Social Services
Operations
Healthcare Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$23,000
Loan Default Rate
2%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$248
Mostly my classes have been small enough to be able to get to know the teacher, yet large enough to have a discussion that has representatives from many different worldviews. Even the lecture classes have been small, especially considering what other college's lecture class sizes are sometimes. My largest class was 75 people, and my smallest class was 10 people. The professors are all real professors, and for the most part have been enthusiastic and truly interested in their subject. The classes are challenging, but good. I feel like I will be well prepared to take the MCAT or GRE when the time comes if classes keep going as they have been. Yet, that is not all. Not only have I grown in my knowledge of academic subjects, but I have also grown spiritually. The classes here challenge me to find how my faith fits into what I'm learning (and the other way around). We have prayers before tests, devotions before some classes, and professors present some of the ways other Christians have accomplished the their integration of faith and learning.
Messiah Student, Health and Exercise Science Major
I would give this college an 9.5 from a scale of 10. This is because Messiah truly cares for the students here, in they support us educationally, emotionally, and even physically. There are a number of fun activities/ clubs to participate in and have fun aside from high quality system of learning.
Ezequiel from Grantham, PA
I never thought that I would learn as much as I have being at this college. Most of the classes you feel like you're doing nothing but little do you know that the professors are teaching you on how to deal with real life situations and how to think like the world thinks. Another great part about this school is that most of the classes are small enough that most of the professors really get to know you and are very helpful when you need it the most.
Messiah Student, Business Administrative major
Messiah's academics are second to none because all of the professors here actually care about the individual student and will strive their hardest to help you if you are having trouble. There are also so many different classes you can take that you are bound to have many classes you enjoy.
Victor from Delta, PA
Messiah College has challenged me academically is various ways. The classes i have attended have been very discussion based allowing us to share our opinions and challenge each other. My bible class has stretched me more than i thought it could. It allowed me to explore the beliefs of other students as well as my own. I feel like i know why i believe what i do more. Most of my classes have had some type of paper or presentation that requires out of class research. I find that having this out of class research has encouraged me to learn on my own. I have also learned a lot about other people through the various volunteer opportunities and multicultural events on campus.
Cassy from Columbia, PA
I am learning so much here at Messiah. Messiah's professors are definitely its strongest selling point. They genuinely care about you and are always willing to help if you need it. Not only are they great educators, they are mentors, friends, and overall great people. I know when I'm out in the working force, I will be more than prepared.
Music Major
The best thing about Messiah is that the professors are really interested in your learning. I have had professors meet with me individually just to see how I thought the class was going and if I felt it was living up to my expectations. I have also received emails from professors who encouraged me to further my learning outside of the classroom by attending specialized conferences and meetings in that particular field of study. I am never afraid to ask questions in class, or voice my opinion because it is always well accepted. The classes are genuinely very good.
Caitlin from West Chester, PA
I feel that I have become a much better writer as a result of my professors' constructive criticism. I have also learned effective time management in studying for tests in advance and doing homework for a class that does not meet the next day. The college operates both a tutoring center and a writing center and with the small school atmosphere, it is easier to get to know the tutors and not have to wait a long time to get help. I feel that I am also learning a lot, such as social skills and musical skills, outside the classroom. I have also learned how to operate my own calendar and maintain my own organized atmosphere, without my mom keeping a calendar and helping me clean.
Kelly from Derwood, MD
The truth? The classes are difficult at times. Most definitely challenging. You don't have (or need) to be a brainiac or super smart geek, but you have to want to learn, do homework every night, read a lot, and study well for exams. The curriculum is more difficult than other private, Christian colleges (and public universities/colleges), but that's what separates us from them. I believe Messiah strives in excellence in academics and when you graduate, your employer will know you have a lot of potential.
Messiah College student, Freshman, Journalism major
Community with others and with God is a big deal on campus. There are many ways to met people and grow in your relationship with Christ. I can't imagine myself anywhere else!
Erin from Akron, PA