ECU vs. Messenger College

Should I go to East Central University or Messenger College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ECU or Messenger 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Southeastern Oklahoma State University UCO-Central NSU Cameron University Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
East Central University vs. Messenger College comparison
East Central University Messenger College College 3 College 4
East Central University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ECU Messenger College
Location Ada, OK Joplin, TX
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 3,376 19
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #928
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ecok.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ECU Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $6,001 $9,480
Tuition (Out of State) $15,361 $9,480
Room & Board $7,752 $7,832
Avg Net Price $10,221 $17,197
Avg Grant Aid $8,853 $7,812
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

ECU Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,200 8
Admitted 841 4
Acceptance Rate 70.1% 50%
Enrolled % 59.6% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 960/1078
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

ECU Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

ECU Messenger College
Graduation Rate 34% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,878 N/A
Median Loan Payment $174 N/A

Diversity

ECU Messenger College
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 54%
% Black 3% 18%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 14% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 10% 5%
% International 10% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

ECU Messenger College
% In-State 88% 50%
% Out-of-State 11% 50%

Campus

ECU Messenger College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • East Central University is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (3,376 students vs. 19 students)

ECU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or Messenger College?

  • Messenger College is 58% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($9,480.00 vs. $6,001.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62% higher at ECU than Messenger College ($15,361.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than Messenger College ($10,221 vs. $17,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 1% lower than costs at Messenger College ($7,752 vs. $7,832)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than East Central University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Central University students is 13.3% larger than aid received Messenger College ($8,853 vs. $7,812)

ECU vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Messenger College (50%)

ECU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ECU or Messenger 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 Messenger College and ECU.

  • The graduation rate at ECU is higher than Messenger College (34% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from East Central University earn on average $16,300 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $24,000)
  • More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 40%)

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