Messiah University vs. Belmont

Comparable Facts

Compare Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA with Belmont University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Belmont University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (8,803 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Messiah University vs. Belmont Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Belmont? 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 Belmont ($29,408 vs. $38,578).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 12.7% lower than at Belmont University ($13,098 vs. $15,010).
• Belmont University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $300 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Belmont than at Messiah University (about $300 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Belmont University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 10.8% larger than aid received by Belmont University students ($26,576 vs. $23,992).

Messiah University vs. Belmont Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Messiah University or Belmont? 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 Belmont and Messiah University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Belmont).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Belmont University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Belmont University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Belmont - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Belmont Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Belmont students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Belmont has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 17.7% at Belmont.

Messiah University vs. Belmont Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Belmont? 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 Belmont University's (68%).
• Graduates from Belmont University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Belmont University graduates have a $4,209 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($21,780 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Belmont graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($225 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Belmont students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.