Messiah University vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Messiah University vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University or Virginia Tech? 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 Tech than Messiah University ($24,912 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 20.9% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,098 vs. $16,550).
• Messiah University is 164.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $26,292 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Messiah University than at Virginia Tech (about $4,476 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Virginia Tech (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 189.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($26,576 vs. $9,168).

Messiah University vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 140 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Messiah University vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have a $2,023 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($23,966 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($247 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.