UNCG vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 Greensboro is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; Messiah University 12:1.

UNCG vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than Messiah University ($11,404 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 18.4% lower than at Messiah University ($10,688 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 451.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $34,579 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.9% higher at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $18,228 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 169.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($26,576 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 20 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

UNCG vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $3,252 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($22,737 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($235 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 56%)

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.