Messiah University vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Messiah University vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Liberty 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 Messiah University than Liberty University ($29,408 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 5.3% lower than at Liberty University ($13,098 vs. $13,835).
• Messiah University is 88% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $19,775 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at Messiah University than at Liberty University (about $19,775 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Liberty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 112.8% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($26,576 vs. $12,489).

Messiah University vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 80 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Liberty University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Messiah University vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Liberty 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 Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $1,823 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($24,166 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($249 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 36%)

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.