Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus College or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College than Gustavus Adolphus College ($25,941 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 11.3% lower than at Messenger College ($11,804 vs. $13,305).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 382.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $44,456 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 382.6% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Messenger College (about $44,456 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 952% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($41,450 vs. $3,940).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus College or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Gustavus Adolphus College has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus College and Messenger College? 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $32,300 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 40%)

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.