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Elizabethtown College vs Messiah University

Elizabethtown College is a private college in Elizabethtown, PA. Messiah University is a private university in Mechanicsburg, PA. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants and Messiah University about 79%, making Elizabethtown College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $26,502 a year at Messiah University after aid, and about $26,598 at Elizabethtown College. About 77% of students graduate at both. Ten years after enrolling, Elizabethtown College alumni earn a median of about $62,399, against $54,064 for Messiah University.

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA · Private

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Elizabethtown, PA
Mechanicsburg, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,868
2,259
Acceptance rate
78%
79%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.44–3.94
SAT (middle 50%)
1105–1310
1110–1350
ACT (middle 50%)
26–31
26–31
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$26,502
Full cost / yr
$50,865
$55,875
In-state tuition
$37,950
$42,240
Out-of-state tuition
$37,950
$42,240
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$17,776
$19,393
$30k - $48k
$17,113
$20,317
$48k - $75k
$20,967
$20,916
$75k - $110k
$25,064
$23,574
Over $110k
$31,198
$31,847
Outcomes
Graduation rate
77%
77%
Freshman retention
84%
89%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,833
$50,192
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,399
$54,064
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$25,621
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
20%
First-generation students
30%
18%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Elizabethtown College or Messiah University harder to get into?
Elizabethtown College is harder to get into. It admits about 78% of applicants, compared with 79% at Messiah University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Elizabethtown College or Messiah University?
Messiah University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $26,502 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,598 at Elizabethtown College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?
Before aid, Elizabethtown College costs about $50,865 a year and Messiah University about $55,875. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Elizabethtown College or Messiah University?
Elizabethtown College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $17,776 there, against about $19,393 at Messiah University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Elizabethtown College or Messiah University?
Messiah University is the larger of the two, with about 2,259 undergraduates against 1,868 at Elizabethtown College.
Does Elizabethtown College or Messiah University have a better graduation rate?
Both graduate about 77% of their students.
Do graduates of Elizabethtown College or Messiah University earn more?
Elizabethtown College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,399 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,064 for Messiah University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Elizabethtown College and Messiah University require SAT or ACT scores?
Elizabethtown College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Messiah University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Elizabethtown College and Messiah University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1105–1310 at Elizabethtown College and 1110–1350 at Messiah University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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