UNCSA vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 School of the Arts 6:1; Messiah University 12:1.

UNCSA vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 School of the Arts than Messiah University ($13,140 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 3.1% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($13,098 vs. $13,517).
• Messiah University is 345.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $32,763 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.2% higher at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $15,029 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 106.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($26,576 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 30 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

UNCSA vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA 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.