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Franklin and Marshall College vs Messiah University

Franklin and Marshall College is a private college in Lancaster, PA. Messiah University is a private university in Mechanicsburg, PA. Franklin and Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants and Messiah University about 79%, making Franklin and Marshall 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 $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. About 85% of students graduate at Franklin and Marshall College, compared with 77% at Messiah University. Ten years after enrolling, Franklin and Marshall College alumni earn a median of about $76,124, against $54,064 for Messiah University.

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Lancaster, PA
Mechanicsburg, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,799
2,259
Acceptance rate
28%
79%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.44–3.94
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1463
1110–1350
ACT (middle 50%)
30–33
26–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,425
$26,502
Full cost / yr
$85,776
$55,875
In-state tuition
$70,794
$42,240
Out-of-state tuition
$70,794
$42,240
Application fee
$60
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,321
$19,393
$30k - $48k
$16,942
$20,317
$48k - $75k
$16,245
$20,916
$75k - $110k
$25,104
$23,574
Over $110k
$49,996
$31,847
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
77%
Freshman retention
90%
89%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,544
$50,192
Median earnings (10 yr)
$76,124
$54,064
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
$25,621
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
20%
First-generation students
19%
18%
International students
17%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
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 Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University harder to get into?
Franklin and Marshall College is harder to get into. It admits about 28% 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, Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University?
Messiah University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $26,502 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall 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 Franklin and Marshall College and Messiah University?
Before aid, Messiah University costs about $55,875 a year and Franklin and Marshall College about $85,776. 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, Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University?
Franklin and Marshall College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,321 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, Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University?
Messiah University is the larger of the two, with about 2,259 undergraduates against 1,799 at Franklin and Marshall College.
Does Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University have a better graduation rate?
Franklin and Marshall College has the higher graduation rate, at about 85% against 77% at Messiah University.
Do graduates of Franklin and Marshall College or Messiah University earn more?
Franklin and Marshall College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $76,124 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,064 for Messiah University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Franklin and Marshall College and Messiah University require SAT or ACT scores?
Franklin and Marshall College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Messiah University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Franklin and Marshall College and Messiah University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1463 at Franklin and Marshall College and 1110–1350 at Messiah University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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