Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Art is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Messiah University than Cleveland Institute of Art ($29,408 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 1.9% lower than at Messiah University ($12,850 vs. $13,098).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $7,160 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Messiah University (about $7,160 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 27.4% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($33,857 vs. $26,576).

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Cleveland Institute of Art.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 100 points higher than at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Cleveland Institute of Art).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Art 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Cleveland Institute of Art's (58%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $3,011 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($25,989 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 62%)

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.