LVC vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lebanon Valley College in Annville, 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 LVC based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lebanon Valley College is located in Annville, PA (Small Suburban setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lebanon Valley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lebanon Valley College 11:1; Messiah University 12:1.

LVC vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LVC 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 Lebanon Valley College than Messiah University ($27,995 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 21% lower than at Lebanon Valley College ($13,098 vs. $16,576).
• Lebanon Valley College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $9,840 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at LVC than at Messiah University (about $9,840 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lebanon Valley College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lebanon Valley College students is 45.4% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($38,653 vs. $26,576).

LVC vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LVC 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 LVC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 10 points higher than at LVC (1220).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lebanon Valley College 1140/1302; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMessiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LVC - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at LVC (3.79).
• LVC has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at LVC vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

LVC vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LVC 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 Lebanon Valley College's (73%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than LVC 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 LVC graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LVC graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LVC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 83%)

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.