JCSU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Messenger College 8:1.

JCSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU 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 Johnson C Smith University than Messenger College ($19,705 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 35.4% lower than at Messenger College ($8,600 vs. $13,305).
• Johnson C Smith University is 83.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $9,680 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.3% higher at JCSU than at Messenger College (about $9,680 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Messenger College (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 286.8% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($15,238 vs. $3,940).

JCSU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messenger College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (2.9) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• JCSU has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

JCSU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU 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).

• Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Johnson C Smith University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,300 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 26%)

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.