Messiah University vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

Messiah University vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than Messiah University ($16,419 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 12% lower than at Old Dominion University ($13,098 vs. $14,878).
• Messiah University is 231.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $29,490 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at Messiah University than at Old Dominion University (about $8,460 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Old Dominion University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 126.4% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($26,576 vs. $11,740).

Messiah University vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 40 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Old Dominion).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Messiah University vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $2,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 53%)

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.