Wooster vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Wooster 10:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Wooster vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wooster 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 The College of Wooster than Messiah University ($28,004 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 9.6% lower than at The College of Wooster ($13,098 vs. $14,490).
• The College of Wooster is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $19,400 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at Wooster than at Messiah University (about $19,400 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 79.4% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($47,672 vs. $26,576).

Wooster vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wooster 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 Wooster.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Wooster (1340) is 110 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Wooster 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: The College of Wooster 1220/1460; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Wooster 27/33; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wooster - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Wooster (59.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Wooster vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Wooster vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wooster 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).

• The College of Wooster's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from The College of Wooster earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $11 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($25,989 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Messiah University and Wooster graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.