Ohio State vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio State University Main Campus is located in Columbus, OH (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Ohio State vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio State University Main Campus than Messiah University ($19,783 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 11.1% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($13,098 vs. $14,738).
• Messiah University is 218.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $28,996 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Messiah University than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $2,218 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Ohio State University Main Campus (100% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 102.1% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($26,576 vs. $13,151).

Ohio State vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 170 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Ohio State 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: Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio State - Required; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Ohio State (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Ohio State vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Ohio State vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio State and Messiah University? 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).

• Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 63%)

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.