Allegheny College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allegheny College is located in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allegheny College 8:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Allegheny College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allegheny College or Messiah University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Allegheny College than Messiah University ($26,420 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 7.1% lower than at Allegheny College ($13,098 vs. $14,100).
• Allegheny College is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $14,310 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Allegheny College than at Messiah University (about $14,310 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 69.3% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($44,987 vs. $26,576).

Allegheny College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Allegheny College or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and Allegheny College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Allegheny College (1270) is 40 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Allegheny College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 1173/1358; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 25/30; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Allegheny College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Allegheny College (3.53).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Allegheny College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Allegheny College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Allegheny College and Messiah University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Allegheny College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Allegheny College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $3,011 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($25,989 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allegheny College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.