Meredith vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Meredith vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith College than Messiah University ($24,323 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 1.4% lower than at Meredith College ($13,098 vs. $13,280).
• Meredith College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $3,390 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Meredith than at Messiah University (about $3,390 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($33,116 vs. $26,576).

Meredith vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 10 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Meredith vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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 Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $11 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($25,989 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Messiah University and Meredith graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 65%)

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.