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Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA·Private nonprofit·2,259 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

79%
Accept
2,259
Students
$26,502
Net Price
75%
Grad Rate
$50,500
Earnings
10 yr
$25,621
Debt

About This School

Messiah University is a private nonprofit institution located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania with approximately 2,259 undergraduate students enrolled. Messiah University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $26,502 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $50,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university with it main campus in Grantham, Pennsylvania and Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania, near Mechanicsburg.

Worth considering if you're looking for a tight-knit Christian community with a genuine academic commitment — an 85% freshman retention rate and 79% graduation rate suggest most students who start here finish, which matters. The financial picture is manageable: median debt of $21,911 is relatively modest, and median earnings of $50,500 a decade out are decent but not exceptional, so this school makes more sense if career fit aligns with its faith-based liberal arts strengths rather than high-salary fields. If a strong evangelical Christian environment is a draw rather than a dealbreaker, this is a solid, mid-sized option worth a serious look.

Founded
1909
Setting
Large suburb
Religious Affiliation
Interdenominational
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,179

Popular Programs

Health Professions17%
Education14%
Business & Marketing14%
Engineering8%
Visual & Performing Arts8%
Psychology6%
Biological Sciences4%
Communications4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1236
Reading 75th %ile680
Math 75th %ile670

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite27

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$42,240
Out-of-State Tuition
$42,240
Avg Net Price
$26,502
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$19,393
$30–48k$20,317
$48–75k$20,916
$75–110k$23,574
$110k+$31,847

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$25,621

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
75%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
89%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,621
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$43,100
Female graduates$35,200

Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,621
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.0x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White75%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian4%
Two or more races4%
International2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,259 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Messiah University

One University Avenue

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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