Messiah University
Messiah University is a private non-profit institution located in Mechanicsburg, PA, offering 88 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. Messiah University provides students with educational opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $40,640
- 2024 Average Net Price: $27,686 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 78.48% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,318 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 78.50%
- Average SAT Score: 1214
Costs
Tuition Costs
$40,640
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Messiah University was $40,640.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$27,686
2024 Value
In 2024 Messiah University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $27,686.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$110,744 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$27,686 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$162,560 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Messiah University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
20.00% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
58.28% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Messiah University was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
78.48% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1214
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Messiah University in 2024 is 2,318 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
73.83% 100% Completion Time
78.50% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 73.83% of students graduating from Messiah University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Messiah University.
Return on Investment
$25,621 Median Student Debt
$54,064 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
47.39% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
388.19% Return on Investment
4.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Messiah University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
CIP 51.9999: 97 completions
Health Professions and Related Programs: 51 completions
CIP 52.0201: 46 completions
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 43 completions
CIP 50.0903: 40 completions
General Psychology: 38 completions
CIP 51.2306: 36 completions
CIP 51.2308: 26 completions
Mechanical Engineering: 21 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 915 completions
Most popular programs at Messiah University.
Employment Outcomes
$50,192 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$50,641 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$54,064 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for Messiah University graduates.
About
Messiah University is a private non-profit institution located in Mechanicsburg, PA, offering 88 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 2,318 students. The admission rate is 78.48%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1214. The institution maintains a 78.50% graduation rate. Approximately 20.00% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Location
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 88 distinct degree programs, Messiah University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.