Umary vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (3,861 students vs. 3,373 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary is located in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary 14:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Umary vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Umary 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 University of Mary than Messiah University ($20,156 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 29.2% lower than at Messiah University ($9,276 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 88.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Umary (about $19,884 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.9% higher at Messiah University than at University of Mary (about $19,884 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of Mary (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 95.4% larger than aid received by University of Mary students ($26,576 vs. $13,601).

Umary vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Umary or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and Umary.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Mary (1230) is the same as at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Umary).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Mary 1110/1340; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Mary 21/26; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Umary - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Messiah University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Umary (3.37).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Umary (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.4% at Umary vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Umary vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Umary and Messiah University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Mary's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $3,489 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Umary 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.