Messiah University Admission Requirements
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Mechanicsburg, PA
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Messiah University Admission Overview
Messiah University admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Messiah University admitted 79% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (A-) and SAT 1110-1350 / ACT 26-31. Messiah University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Messiah University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Messiah University Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Messiah University
Acceptance Rate
The Messiah University acceptance rate is 79%. Last year, 1,941 of 2,458 applicants were admitted. That is the 55th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Messiah University and can you get accepted?
Messiah University is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Messiah University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.8. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Messiah University GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.8Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.8
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Messiah University typically have around a 3.8 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Messiah University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
54% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #11 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Messiah University SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1110-1350Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
52%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 570
- Math 540
- Composite 1110
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 670
- Composite 1350
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Messiah University typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1110–1350) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. Messiah University ranks #26 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1110 to 1350
SAT policy
Messiah University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Messiah University ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
26-31Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
6%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 26
75th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 30
- Composite 31
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Messiah University typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 26–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Messiah University places #22 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #246 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 26 to 31
ACT policy
You may apply to Messiah University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
64% of Messiah University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Messiah University chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Messiah University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Messiah University is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Messiah University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 79% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1110-1350); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Messiah University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=213996.
GPA calculator: Messiah University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026