Denison vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, 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 Denison based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Denison vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison 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 Denison ($29,408 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 20.1% lower than at Denison University ($13,098 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 58.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $24,760 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Denison than at Messiah University (about $24,760 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Denison University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 43.7% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($38,179 vs. $26,576).

Denison vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison 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 Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 180 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Denison students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Denison vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison 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).

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $11 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($25,989 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Messiah University and Denison graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 83%)

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.