Hope College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, MI with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hope College is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (3,395 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Hope College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope 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 Messiah University than Hope College ($29,408 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 1.1% lower than at Messiah University ($12,950 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hope College (about $270 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Messiah University than at Hope College (about $270 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Hope College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Hope College students ($26,576 vs. $24,945).

Hope College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 10 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Hope 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: Hope College 1100/1340; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Hope College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hope College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

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.