Messiah University vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; William & Mary 12:1.

Messiah University vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary than Messiah University ($19,686 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 19.1% lower than at William & Mary ($13,098 vs. $16,182).
• Messiah University is 63% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $16,326 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at William & Mary than at Messiah University (about $8,798 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at William & Mary (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($26,576 vs. $23,144).

Messiah University vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Messiah University or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary and Messiah University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 240 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

Messiah University vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and William & Mary? 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $6,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William & Mary students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.