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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.
Messiah University is a private university located in Mechanicsburg, PA. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at Messiah University is 88.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
Here are some fresh information on important things to consider about Messiah University.
Quick Facts
2,618
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$42,540
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Discover some relevant info about admission policy and requirements at Messiah University.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,941 in 2025. Messiah University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides 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 those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 51.77% and ACT scores 5.85%. 13.36% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 46.92% between 1,200 and 1,399, 32.88% between 1,000 and 1,199, 6.51% between 800 and 999, and 0.34% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 30.3, 54.55 between 24-29, 12.12 in the range between 18-23, and 3.03 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 27 and the average GPA was 3.84. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 619 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 606.
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. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Messiah University was 88.6% in 2025, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Messiah University in 2025 was 3,373.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 34% for that year. There was a total of 2,618 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 52 international students. The school admitted a total of 78 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,085 male and 1,697 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Messiah University.
This school had 85 Asian students and 90 Afro-American students in 2025. 213 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 95 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 24 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Messiah University? Here is what you need to know.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $42,540 for all full-time domestic students. Since Messiah University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,040 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,330.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Messiah University was $12,765 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $6,790, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,350.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 42,540 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,765 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,330 |
| Total Expense | $ 56,635 |
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 you might get at Messiah University.
According to the most recent data, 411 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $35,856.
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.
1,491 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Messiah University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,501. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $4,406,753, and state $2,860,279. The students of Messiah University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $33,685,107, and external in the amount of $1,453,197.
$17,831
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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.
281 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 104 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $4,406,753 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $651,720. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $14,094,337. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $887,452 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Messiah University was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 376 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 169 male and 207 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Messiah University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about social life at Messiah University.
Its campus spans 485 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to the most recent information, there are 70 open-membership organizations at Messiah University. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Multicultural Council, followed by Student Government Association and Student Activities Board. Other popular organizations among the students at Messiah University are Small Group Participation (Student Ministries) and Outreach Teams (Agape Center).
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? Messiah University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Messiah University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Messiah University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. 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 42,540 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Messiah University is 78%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Messiah University is 88.6%.
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.
