DeSales University vs. Messiah College

Should I go to DeSales University or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DeSales 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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DeSales University vs. Messiah College comparison
DeSales University Messiah College College 3 College 4
DeSales University Messiah College
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Overview

DeSales University Messiah College
Location Center Valley, PA Grantham, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,991 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #262 #358
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desales.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DeSales University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $41,100 $38,550
Tuition (Out of State) $41,100 $38,550
Room & Board $13,500 $11,560
Avg Net Price $29,104 $24,120
Avg Grant Aid $27,824 $27,519
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

DeSales University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,662 2,438
Admitted 2,826 1,936
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 79.4%
Enrolled % 18% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/30
SAT Range 1100/1280 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

DeSales University Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

DeSales University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 69% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

DeSales University Messiah College
% Men 34% 37%
% Women 66% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 83%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

DeSales University Messiah College
% In-State 66% 63%
% Out-of-State 34% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Messiah College is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 2,991 students)

DeSales University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

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

  • DeSales University is 6.6% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $38,550.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.6% higher at DeSales University than Messiah College ($41,100.00 vs. $38,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than DeSales University ($24,120 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 16.8% lower than costs at DeSales University ($11,560 vs. $13,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University as Messiah College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 1.1% larger than aid received Messiah College ($27,824 vs. $27,519)

DeSales University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Messiah College (1129) is 75 points higher than at DeSales University (1054)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • Messiah College has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

DeSales University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DeSales 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 DeSales University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than DeSales University (74% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $48,600)
  • Messiah College students graduate with a $11 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($25,989 vs. $26,000)
  • Messiah College and DeSales University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More Messiah College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/