Seton Hall University vs. Messiah College

Should I go to Seton Hall University or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Seton Hall University or Messiah College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Seton Hall University vs. Messiah College comparison
Seton Hall University Messiah College College 3 College 4
Seton Hall University Messiah College
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Overview

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Location South Orange, NJ Grantham, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,494 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #243 #362
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shu.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $48,670 $39,700
Tuition (Out of State) $48,670 $39,700
Room & Board $17,350 $11,910
Avg Net Price $31,642 $29,882
Avg Grant Aid $33,582 $24,223
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 23,748 2,375
Admitted 18,738 1,864
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 78.5%
Enrolled % 8.4% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/31 22/30
SAT Range 1220/1400 1100/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 66% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $62,700 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $258 $268

Diversity

Seton Hall University Messiah College
% Men 14% 6%
% Women 22% 17%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 83%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 19% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Seton Hall University Messiah College
% In-State 71% 63%
% Out-of-State 27% 36%

Campus

Seton Hall University Messiah College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Seton Hall University is larger than than Messiah College based on total student enrollment (9,494 students vs. 3,344 students)

Seton Hall University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seton Hall University or Messiah College?

  • Seton Hall University is 22.6% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($48,670.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.6% higher at Seton Hall University than Messiah College ($48,670.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than Seton Hall University ($29,882 vs. $31,642)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 45.7% lower than costs at Seton Hall University ($11,910 vs. $17,350)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Seton Hall University as Messiah College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seton Hall University students is 38.6% larger than aid received Messiah College ($33,582 vs. $24,223)

Seton Hall University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Seton Hall University or Messiah College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Messiah College or Seton Hall University .

  • The average SAT score at Seton Hall University (1145) is 16 points higher than at Messiah College (1129)
  • Incoming Seton Hall University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Seton Hall University (3.64)
  • Seton Hall University has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Messiah College (78.5%)

Seton Hall University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Seton Hall University or Messiah College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Messiah College and Seton Hall University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than Seton Hall University (74% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Seton Hall University earn on average $14,100 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($62,700 vs. $48,600)
  • Seton Hall University students graduate with a $989 lower median federal student loan debt than Messiah College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,989)
  • Seton Hall University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Messiah College graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More Messiah College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hall University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/