Warren Wilson vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Warren Wilson College is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Messenger College than Warren Wilson ($25,941 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 1.9% lower than at Messenger College ($13,050 vs. $13,305).
• Warren Wilson College is 257.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $29,880 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257.1% higher at Warren Wilson than at Messenger College (about $29,880 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 683.9% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($30,887 vs. $3,940).

Warren Wilson vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Warren Wilson vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Warren Wilson College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,800 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.