Suffolk University vs. Messiah College

Should I go to Suffolk University or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Suffolk 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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Suffolk University vs. Messiah College comparison
Suffolk University Messiah College College 3 College 4
Suffolk University Messiah College
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Overview

Suffolk University Messiah College
Location Boston, MA Grantham, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,697 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #445 #362
Religious Affiliation - Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website suffolk.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Suffolk University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $44,812 $39,700
Tuition (Out of State) $44,812 $39,700
Room & Board $19,562 $11,910
Avg Net Price $33,089 $29,882
Avg Grant Aid $29,627 $24,223
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Suffolk University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,101 2,375
Admitted 8,560 1,864
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 78.5%
Enrolled % 14.2% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/32 22/30
SAT Range 1090/1280 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 15, 2026

Academics

Suffolk University Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Suffolk University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 54% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,100 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Suffolk University Messiah College
% Men 12% 6%
% Women 21% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 40% 83%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 23% 4%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Suffolk University Messiah College
% In-State 54% 63%
% Out-of-State 36% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Suffolk University is larger than than Messiah College based on total student enrollment (6,697 students vs. 3,344 students)

Suffolk University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk University or Messiah College?

  • Suffolk University is 12.9% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($44,812.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.9% higher at Suffolk University than Messiah College ($44,812.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah College than Suffolk University ($29,882 vs. $33,089)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 64.2% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($11,910 vs. $19,562)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messiah College than Suffolk University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 22.3% larger than aid received Messiah College ($29,627 vs. $24,223)

Suffolk University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Messiah College (1129) is 105 points higher than at Suffolk University (1024)
  • Incoming Messiah College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Suffolk University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Suffolk University (3.33)
  • Suffolk University has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than Messiah College (78.5%)

Suffolk University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than Suffolk University (74% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $10,500 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $48,600)
  • Messiah College students graduate with a $1,011 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($25,989 vs. $27,000)
  • Messiah College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Suffolk University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Messiah College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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