Messiah University
Private nonprofit four-year university in Mechanicsburg, PA that costs an average of $25,955 a year after financial aid, admits 79% of applicants and graduates 78% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$25,955
Acceptance rate
79%
Graduation rate
78%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$60,377
Private nonprofitLarge suburb2,259 undergraduates
Cost of Messiah University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $58,158 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $43,580 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $13,464 |
| Books and supplies | $1,330 |
| Average net price after aid | $25,955 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $17,980 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $18,614 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $19,156 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $21,356 |
| $110,001+ | $32,612 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Messiah University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 79% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,236 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 570–680 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 540–670 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 26–31 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 78% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 89% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $52,822 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $60,377 |
| Rank in Pennsylvania (earnings) | 76th of 113 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $24,250 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $276 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 25% |
| Students with federal loans | 52% |
Majors and programs at Messiah University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (63)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 88 | $82,180 | $26,862 |
| Engineering | 12 | $71,006 | — |
| Computer Science | 27 | $64,152 | $23,375 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 30 | $63,976 | $22,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 31 | $63,871 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 68 | $57,659 | $23,105 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 57 | $48,378 | $26,672 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 80 | $48,058 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 16 | $47,091 | — |
| Psychology | 63 | $39,732 | $23,750 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 39 | $38,069 | $25,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 28 | $32,113 | $26,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 91 | $28,640 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | — | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 2 | — | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 22 | — | — |
| Biology | 33 | — | $23,250 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 15 | — | — |
| Biopsychology | 16 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 4 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 14 | — | — |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 8 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 22 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8 | — | — |
| Dance | 9 | — | — |
| Data Science | — | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 6 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 12 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 13 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| Economics | 9 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 23 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 25 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 11 | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 2 | — | — |
| History | 12 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | — | — | — |
| International Business | 8 | — | — |
| Journalism | 1 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 4 | — | — |
| Marketing | 19 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 10 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 36 | — | $25,519 |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | — | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 3 | — | — |
| Music | 18 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 10 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 5 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 6 | — | — |
| Physics | 5 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 15 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 24 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 21 | — | — |
| Religious Education | 17 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | — | — |
| Social Work | 20 | — | — |
| Sociology | 7 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 19 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7 | — | — |
| Sustainability Studies | 9 | — | — |
Certificate programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 50 | $51,238 | $22,625 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 21 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (13)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 43 | $75,370 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 68 | $70,482 | $71,750 |
| Music | 64 | $66,907 | $32,196 |
| Education | 29 | $58,404 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 17 | $55,524 | — |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 163 | $50,088 | $55,085 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 10 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 4 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11 | — | — |
| Social Work | — | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 14 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 8 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | $78,498 | $120,906 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Professional degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 61 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (12)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 21 | $59,699 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 5 | — | — |
| Education | 11 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Marketing | — | — | — |
| Music | 13 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 20 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson College | Carlisle | $28,634 | 42% | $83,426 |
| Grove City College | Grove City | — | 72% | — |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie | $26,486 | 81% | $55,508 |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh | $26,028 | 97% | $52,251 |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | $28,585 | 81% | $67,676 |
| Gannon University | Erie | $24,443 | 74% | $64,498 |
| Alvernia University | Reading | $27,122 | 58% | $60,651 |
| DeSales University | Center Valley | $29,183 | 77% | $69,129 |
About Messiah University
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| Setting | Large suburb |
| Undergraduates | 2,259 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | messiah.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Messiah University's acceptance rate?
Messiah University admits 79% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,236 on the SAT.
How much does Messiah University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $58,158 a year (tuition and fees: $43,580). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $25,955 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $17,980.
How much do Messiah University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $60,377 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 76th of 113 similar colleges in Pennsylvania. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($82,180 a year after graduation).
What is Messiah University's graduation rate?
78% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 89% of first-year students return for a second year.