Juniata College vs Messiah University
Juniata College is a private college in Huntingdon, PA. Messiah University is a private university in Mechanicsburg, PA. Both admit about 79% of applicants. Students pay an average of about $23,988 a year at Juniata College after aid, and about $26,502 at Messiah University. About 77% of students graduate at Messiah University, compared with 71% at Juniata College. Ten years after enrolling, Juniata College alumni earn a median of about $56,918, against $54,064 for Messiah University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Huntingdon, PA
Mechanicsburg, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,191
2,259
Acceptance rate
79%
79%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.44–3.94
SAT (middle 50%)
1130–1320
1110–1350
ACT (middle 50%)
22–30
26–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,988
$26,502
Full cost / yr
$71,850
$55,875
In-state tuition
$58,580
$42,240
Out-of-state tuition
$58,580
$42,240
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$18,729
$19,393
$30k - $48k
$17,265
$20,317
$48k - $75k
$16,997
$20,916
$75k - $110k
$19,312
$23,574
Over $110k
$31,255
$31,847
Outcomes
Graduation rate
71%
77%
Freshman retention
83%
89%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,571
$50,192
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,918
$54,064
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$25,621
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
20%
First-generation students
20%
18%
International students
8%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Mar 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.
- Is Juniata College or Messiah University harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 79% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Juniata College or Messiah University?
- Juniata College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,988 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,502 at Messiah University. 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 Juniata College and Messiah University?
- Before aid, Messiah University costs about $55,875 a year and Juniata College about $71,850. 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, Juniata College or Messiah University?
- Juniata College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $18,729 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, Juniata College or Messiah University?
- Messiah University is the larger of the two, with about 2,259 undergraduates against 1,191 at Juniata College.
- Does Juniata College or Messiah University have a better graduation rate?
- Messiah University has the higher graduation rate, at about 77% against 71% at Juniata College.
- Do graduates of Juniata College or Messiah University earn more?
- Juniata College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $56,918 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,064 for Messiah University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Juniata College and Messiah University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Juniata 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 Juniata College and Messiah University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1130–1320 at Juniata College and 1110–1350 at Messiah University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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