Henderson State University vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Henderson State University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (2,055 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Henderson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Henderson State University 14:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Henderson State University vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University than Messenger College ($20,444 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 24.8% lower than at Messenger College ($10,000 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $3,376 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $8,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Messenger College than at Henderson State University (about $1,000 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $10,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at Messenger College (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Henderson State University students is 99.7% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($7,867 vs. $3,940).

Henderson State University vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Henderson State University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Messenger College (2.9).

Henderson State University vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Henderson State University 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).

• Henderson State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Henderson State University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Henderson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.