Messiah University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Messiah University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or VMI? 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 Military Institute than Messiah University ($18,825 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 13.7% lower than at Messiah University ($11,310 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 100.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $21,194 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at VMI than at Messiah University (about $10,398 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($26,576 vs. $23,821).

Messiah University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 70 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Messiah University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and VMI? 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 Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $989 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VMI students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 84%)

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.