Messiah University vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Messiah University vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Pitt? 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 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than Messiah University ($25,223 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 3.8% lower than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ($13,098 vs. $13,620).
• Messiah University is 92.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $20,314 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Messiah University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $810 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 61.1% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($26,576 vs. $16,494).

Messiah University vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 140 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 13% at Pitt.

Messiah University vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $920 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($25,989 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt 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.