Bryn Athyn College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bryn Athyn College of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, 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 Bryn Athyn College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 255 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is located in Bryn Athyn, PA (Large Suburban setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church 8:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Bryn Athyn College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bryn Athyn 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 Bryn Athyn College of the New Church than Messiah University ($20,728 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 9.1% lower than at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church ($13,098 vs. $14,406).
• Messiah University is 46.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Athyn College (about $13,323 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $28,917.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.1% higher at Messiah University than at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (about $13,323 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $28,917.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Bryn Athyn College of the New Church students ($26,576 vs. $20,460).

Bryn Athyn College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bryn Athyn College or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and Bryn Athyn College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Bryn Athyn College (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church 1060/1298; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMessiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bryn Athyn College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bryn Athyn College Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Messiah University students have a 0.93 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Bryn Athyn College (2.87).
• Bryn Athyn College has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.1% at Bryn Athyn College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Bryn Athyn College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bryn Athyn College and Messiah University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Bryn Athyn College of the New Church's (30%).
• Graduates from Messiah University have median earnings of about $48,600 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Bryn Athyn College.
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Athyn College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 63%)

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.