Elizabethtown College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabethtown College is located in Elizabethtown, PA (Town Fringe setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elizabethtown College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabethtown College 13:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Elizabethtown College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College than Messiah University ($27,760 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 1.8% lower than at Elizabethtown College ($13,098 vs. $13,340).
• Messiah University is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elizabethtown College (about $4,290 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $37,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Messiah University than at Elizabethtown College (about $4,290 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $37,950.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Elizabethtown College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Elizabethtown College students ($26,576 vs. $23,064).

Elizabethtown College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elizabethtown College 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 Elizabethtown College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 20 points higher than at Elizabethtown College (1210).
• Incoming Elizabethtown College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Messiah University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabethtown College 1105/1310; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabethtown College 26/31; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elizabethtown College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Elizabethtown College (3.66).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Elizabethtown College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at Elizabethtown College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Elizabethtown College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elizabethtown College 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).

• Elizabethtown College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Elizabethtown College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Elizabethtown College graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elizabethtown College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elizabethtown College 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.