Messiah University vs. Moravian College

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Moravian College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,745 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Messiah University vs. Moravian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Moravian College? 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 Moravian College ($29,408 vs. $31,743).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 23.9% lower than at Moravian University ($13,098 vs. $17,222).
• Moravian University is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $11,260 more per year; $53,500.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Moravian College than at Messiah University (about $11,260 more per year; $53,500.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University as at Moravian University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Moravian University students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($34,261 vs. $26,576).

Messiah University vs. Moravian College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Moravian College (1180).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Moravian College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Moravian University 1070/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Moravian University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Moravian College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Moravian College (3.55).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Moravian College (54.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 16% at Moravian College.

Messiah University vs. Moravian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Moravian College? 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).

• Moravian University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Moravian University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Moravian College graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Moravian College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Moravian College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 79%)

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.