Messiah University vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Messiah University vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Roanoke 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 Roanoke College than Messiah University ($26,044 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 14.8% lower than at Roanoke College ($13,098 vs. $15,366).
• Messiah University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roanoke College (about $4,172 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Messiah University than at Roanoke College (about $4,172 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($28,188 vs. $26,576).

Messiah University vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 30 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Roanoke College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Messiah University vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Roanoke 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Roanoke College's (69%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 Roanoke College graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.