UIW vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Incarnate Word is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (7,047 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Incarnate Word is located in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• University of the Incarnate Word is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Incarnate Word 12:1; Messenger College 8:1.

UIW vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIW or Messenger College? 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 the Incarnate Word than Messenger College ($23,363 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 6.9% lower than at University of the Incarnate Word ($13,305 vs. $14,296).
• University of the Incarnate Word is 219.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $25,470 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 219.2% higher at UIW than at Messenger College (about $25,470 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Incarnate Word than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Incarnate Word students is 543.5% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($25,354 vs. $3,940).

UIW vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIW or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and UIW.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Incarnate Word 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Incarnate Word 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIW - Test-free; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIW students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• UIW has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at UIW vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

UIW vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIW and Messenger College? 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 the Incarnate Word's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from University of the Incarnate Word earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More UIW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 40%)

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.