Bethel University vs. Messiah College

Should I go to Bethel University or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bethel University or Messiah College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bethel University vs. Messiah College comparison
Bethel University Messiah College College 3 College 4
Bethel University Messiah College
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Overview

Bethel University Messiah College
Location Saint Paul, MN Grantham, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,546 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #238 #358
Religious Affiliation Baptist Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bethel.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bethel University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $41,110 $38,550
Tuition (Out of State) $41,110 $38,550
Room & Board $11,490 $11,560
Avg Net Price $29,915 $24,120
Avg Grant Aid $24,586 $27,519
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Bethel University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,199 2,438
Admitted 1,594 1,936
Acceptance Rate 72.5% 79.4%
Enrolled % 27.9% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 25/30
SAT Range 1123/1343 1090/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Bethel University Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Bethel University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 73% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,400 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $252 $268

Diversity

Bethel University Messiah College
% Men 38% 37%
% Women 62% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 83%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Bethel University Messiah College
% In-State 79% 63%
% Out-of-State 21% 35%

Campus

Bethel University Messiah College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Messiah College based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 3,231 students)

Bethel University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel University or Messiah College?

  • Bethel University is 6.6% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $38,550.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.6% higher at Bethel University than Messiah College ($41,110.00 vs. $38,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than Bethel University ($24,120 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 0.6% lower than costs at Messiah College ($11,490 vs. $11,560)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messiah College than Bethel University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah College students is 11.9% larger than aid received Bethel University ($27,519 vs. $24,586)

Bethel University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel University or Messiah College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Messiah College or Bethel University .

  • The average SAT score at Messiah College (1129) is 2 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Bethel University (3.6)
  • Messiah College has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

Bethel University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bethel University or Messiah College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Messiah College and Bethel University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than Bethel University (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $48,600)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $1,589 lower median federal student loan debt than Messiah College graduates. ($24,400 vs. $25,989)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Messiah College graduates. ($252 vs. $268)
  • More Messiah College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University 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/