UNC Chapel Hill vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Messiah University 12:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Messiah University ($10,154 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 5.1% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,098 vs. $13,804).
• Messiah University is 369.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $33,246 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $1,037 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (100% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 49.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($26,576 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 230 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Messiah University (3.8).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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).

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Messiah University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $9,510 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($16,479 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($170 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

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.