Kenyon vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kenyon College in Gambier, OH with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kenyon College is located in Gambier, OH (Distant Rural setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Kenyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kenyon College 9:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Kenyon vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kenyon 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 Kenyon ($29,408 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 16.3% lower than at Kenyon College ($13,098 vs. $15,640).
• Kenyon College is 69.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $29,280 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at Kenyon than at Messiah University (about $29,280 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Kenyon College (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kenyon College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($40,731 vs. $26,576).

Kenyon vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kenyon 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 Kenyon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kenyon College (1430) is 200 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Kenyon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kenyon College 1358/1503; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kenyon College 31/33; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kenyon - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kenyon students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Kenyon (31%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Kenyon vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Kenyon vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kenyon 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).

• Kenyon College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Kenyon College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $6,989 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($196 vs. $268).
• More Kenyon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messiah University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

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.