Messiah University vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Messiah University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Messiah University ($26,836 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 28.2% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,098 vs. $18,254).
• Messiah University is 149.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $25,295 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Messiah University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $2,131 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 87.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($26,576 vs. $14,186).

Messiah University vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 90 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Messiah University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,739 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 56%)

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.