Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA
Messiah University, located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is a comprehensive Christian institution known for its academic excellence and commitment to faith integration. Founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church, the university offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields such as business, engineering, education, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, Messiah University provides a personalized learning experience, fostering meaningful connections between students and professors.
At Messiah University, faith is at the heart of everything they do. The university's Christian identity permeates its educational philosophy, encouraging students to explore the integration of faith and learning. Students have the opportunity to attend chapel services, participate in faith-based clubs and organizations, and engage in service projects that embody the university's commitment to service and peacemaking. The campus community is vibrant and inclusive, embracing diversity and welcoming students from various backgrounds.
Beyond academics and faith integration, Messiah University offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and athletic programs. Students can join over 80 clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, recreational, and spiritual groups. The university's athletic teams, known as the Falcons, compete in NCAA Division III. Sports facilities on campus are of high quality, catering to recreational and competitive athletes alike.
Overall, Messiah University offers a holistic and transformational educational experience that combines rigorous academic programs with a strong Christian foundation. With a supportive community, hands-on learning opportunities, and a commitment to spiritual growth, Messiah University prepares students to make a positive impact in their professions, communities, and the world.
Located in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah University is a private university. It has a campus size of 485 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at Messiah University is 86% and the six-year graduation rate is 78%.
Learn more about what Messiah University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
2,492
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
79%
Acceptance Rate
$38,550
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
78%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. What are the admission requirements for Messiah University?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,936 in 2023. Messiah University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 57% and ACT scores 9%. 13% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 43% between 1,200 and 1,399, 32% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10% between 800 and 999, and 1% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 29, 50 between 24-29, 19 in the range between 18-23, and 2 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2023 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.77. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 605 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 602.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Messiah University was 86%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 78%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the school had an enrollment of 3,228 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 34% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,492, 64 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 77.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,049 male and 1,772 female full-time students in 2023. 150 full-time graduate men and 394 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 80 Asian students and 82 Afro-American students in 2023. 182 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 93 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important information on Messiah University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Messiah University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $38,550 in 2023. Messiah University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2023 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $940.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $1,350 for books and supplies during their time at Messiah University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Messiah University was $11,560 in 2023. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $6,150, according to the data from 2023. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,150.
| Tuition | $ 38,550 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,560 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,350 |
| Total Expense | $ 51,460 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Messiah University.
The most recent records show that 447 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $30,389.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,628 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Messiah University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,646. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $2,942,911, and state $2,740,220. The students of Messiah University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $32,254,281, and external in the amount of $1,102,599.
$16,447
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 279 students overall (including freshmen) at Messiah University in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 80 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $2,942,911 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $454,705. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $11,768,746. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $628,971 USD.
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Messiah University was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 364. This number included 157 male and 207 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Messiah University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Messiah University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at Messiah University.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There are 83 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Outdoors Club, followed by Small Group Program and choral groups and ensembles. Other popular organizations at Messiah University are student government and Outreach teams.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Messiah University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Messiah University offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Messiah University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Messiah University.
Career Counselling
At Messiah University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA.
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Messiah University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Messiah University is 38,550 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Messiah University is 79%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Messiah University is 86%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.