Benedict College vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Benedict College in Columbia, SC with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Benedict College is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,691 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedict College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedict College 13:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Benedict College vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedict College or Messenger College? 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 Benedict College than Messenger College ($18,665 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 46.3% lower than at Messenger College ($7,146 vs. $13,305).
• Benedict College is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $5,820 more per year; $17,440.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at Benedict College than at Messenger College (about $5,820 more per year; $17,440.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedict College than at Messenger College (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedict College students is 238.5% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($13,335 vs. $3,940).

Benedict College vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedict College or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and Benedict College.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedict College - Open admission; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Benedict College vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Benedict College vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedict College and Messenger College? 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).

• Benedict College's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Benedict College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($25,000 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 13%)

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.