SCU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern Christian University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (399 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Christian University is located in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Christian University 13:1; Messenger College 8:1.

SCU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Messenger College? 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 Southwestern Christian University than Messenger College ($20,528 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 24.1% lower than at Messenger College ($10,100 vs. $13,305).
• Southwestern Christian University is 88.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $10,280 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.5% higher at SCU than at Messenger College (about $10,280 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Christian University students is 224.5% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($12,784 vs. $3,940).

SCU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and SCU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Not reported; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Messenger College (2.9).

SCU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Messenger College? 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).

• Southwestern Christian University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Christian University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,400 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 38%)

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.