Messiah University vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Messiah University vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or TCU? 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 TCU ($29,408 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 21.6% lower than at Texas Christian University ($13,098 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $19,500 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.2% higher at TCU than at Messiah University (about $19,500 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Texas Christian University (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 31.6% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($34,975 vs. $26,576).

Messiah University vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 20 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at TCU (3.68).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Messiah University vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and TCU? 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).

• The graduation rate at Messiah University is the same as at Texas Christian University (74% vs. 74%).
• Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $4,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.