Lancaster Bible College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Lancaster Bible College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,519 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lancaster Bible College is located in Lancaster, PA (Large Suburban setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lancaster Bible College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lancaster Bible College 19:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Lancaster Bible College vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lancaster Bible 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 Lancaster Bible College than Messiah University ($25,940 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lancaster Bible College are 6.7% lower than at Messiah University ($12,221 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 40.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lancaster Bible College (about $12,250 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $29,990.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.8% higher at Messiah University than at Lancaster Bible College (about $12,250 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $29,990.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lancaster Bible College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 49.3% larger than aid received by Lancaster Bible College students ($26,576 vs. $17,797).

Lancaster Bible College vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lancaster Bible 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 Lancaster Bible College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Lancaster Bible College (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lancaster Bible College 1070/1280; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMessiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lancaster Bible College - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lancaster Bible College (3.31).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Lancaster Bible College (55.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.7% at Lancaster Bible College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Lancaster Bible College vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lancaster Bible 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Lancaster Bible College's (49%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Lancaster Bible College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lancaster Bible College graduates have a $9,323 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($16,666 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Lancaster Bible College graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($172 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lancaster Bible College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 67%)

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.