Messiah University vs. Lipscomb

Comparable Facts

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

Lipscomb University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (5,017 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Lipscomb University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lipscomb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Lipscomb University 13:1.

Messiah University vs. Lipscomb Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University than Messiah University ($27,695 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 15.1% lower than at Lipscomb University ($13,098 vs. $15,424).
• Messiah University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lipscomb (about $1,668 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $40,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Messiah University than at Lipscomb University (about $1,668 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $40,572.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University as at Lipscomb University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lipscomb University students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($28,645 vs. $26,576).

Messiah University vs. Lipscomb Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lipscomb University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Lipscomb).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Lipscomb University 1160/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Lipscomb University 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Lipscomb - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lipscomb (3.73).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Lipscomb (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 24.9% at Lipscomb.

Messiah University vs. Lipscomb Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University's (63%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Lipscomb graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lipscomb University graduates have a $5,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Lipscomb graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lipscomb students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 68%)

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.