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Liberty University Eastern University Wheaton College Elizabethtown College Penn State Houghton College Cedarville University Millersville University of Pennsylvania LVC Drexel Geneva College Ship| Messiah College | Thomas Jefferson University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
| Location | Grantham, PA | Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,231 | 8,286 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #358 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Interdenominational | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | messiah.edu | jefferson.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,550 | $43,100 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,550 | $43,100 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,560 | $14,715 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $24,120 | $28,110 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $27,519 | $32,486 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,438 | 5,723 | ||
| Admitted | 1,936 | 5,085 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.4% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.3% | 14.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.8 | 3.73 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 27/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1090/1340 | 1130/1350 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jul 31, 2025 |
Academics |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
| Graduation Rate | 74% | - | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,600 | $122,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 85% | 86% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,989 | $12,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $129 |
Diversity |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 37% | 27% | ||
| % Women | 63% | 73% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 1% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 7% |
Students |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 63% | 63% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 35% | 35% | ||
Campus |
Messiah College | Jefferson | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | |||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | |||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Thomas Jefferson University is larger than than Messiah College based on total student enrollment (8,286 students vs. 3,231 students)
Messiah College vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Messiah College or Jefferson?
- Thomas Jefferson University is 11.8% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($43,100.00 vs. $38,550.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11.8% higher at Jefferson than Messiah College ($43,100.00 vs. $38,550.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than Jefferson ($24,120 vs. $28,110)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 27.3% lower than costs at Thomas Jefferson University ($11,560 vs. $14,715)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Messiah College as Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 18% larger than aid received Messiah College ($32,486 vs. $27,519)
Messiah College vs. Jefferson Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Messiah College or Jefferson? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Jefferson or Messiah College .
- Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Jefferson (3.73)
- Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Messiah College (79.4%)
Messiah College vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Messiah College or Jefferson? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Jefferson and Messiah College.
- Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn on average $74,300 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($122,900 vs. $48,600)
- Thomas Jefferson University students graduate with a $13,489 lower median federal student loan debt than Messiah College graduates. ($12,500 vs. $25,989)
- Jefferson graduates are paying $139 less per month on federal student loans than Messiah College graduates. ($129 vs. $268)
- More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messiah College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 85%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/