NC State vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 3,373 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Messiah University 12:1.

NC State vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Messiah University? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Messiah University ($15,522 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 8.6% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,098 vs. $14,332).
• Messiah University is 380.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $33,441 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at Messiah University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $9,393 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 127.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($26,576 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 160 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman NC State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

NC State vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Messiah University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $5,207 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($20,782 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($214 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.