Skidmore College vs. Messiah College

Should I go to Skidmore College or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Skidmore College 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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Skidmore College vs. Messiah College comparison
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Skidmore College Messiah College
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Overview

Skidmore College Messiah College
Location Saratoga Springs, NY Grantham, PA
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,776 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #52 #362
Religious Affiliation - Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website skidmore.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Skidmore College Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $63,730 $39,700
Tuition (Out of State) $63,730 $39,700
Room & Board $17,340 $11,910
Avg Net Price $32,368 $29,882
Avg Grant Aid $49,522 $24,223
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 100%

Admission

Skidmore College Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,144 2,375
Admitted 2,784 1,864
Acceptance Rate 22.9% 78.5%
Enrolled % 26.4% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.8
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 30/33 22/30
SAT Range 1300/1460 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 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Skidmore College Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
  • Business (10%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Skidmore College Messiah College
Graduation Rate 84% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,400 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $201 $268

Diversity

Skidmore College Messiah College
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 0% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 83%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Skidmore College Messiah College
% In-State 33% 63%
% Out-of-State 58% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Messiah College is larger than than Skidmore College based on total student enrollment (3,344 students vs. 2,776 students)

Skidmore College vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Skidmore College or Messiah College?

  • Skidmore College is 60.5% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($63,730.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.5% higher at Skidmore College than Messiah College ($63,730.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than Skidmore College ($29,882 vs. $32,368)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 45.6% lower than costs at Skidmore College ($11,910 vs. $17,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messiah College than Skidmore College (100% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 104.4% larger than aid received Messiah College ($49,522 vs. $24,223)

Skidmore College vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Skidmore College (1239) is 110 points higher than at Messiah College (1129)
  • Incoming Skidmore College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Skidmore College (3.75)
  • Messiah College has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Skidmore College (22.9%)

Skidmore College vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College.

  • The graduation rate at Skidmore College is higher than Messiah College (84% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from Skidmore College earn on average $5,800 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($54,400 vs. $48,600)
  • Skidmore College students graduate with a $6,489 lower median federal student loan debt than Messiah College graduates. ($19,500 vs. $25,989)
  • Skidmore College graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than Messiah College graduates. ($201 vs. $268)
  • More Skidmore College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messiah College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 85%)

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