Allegheny College vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Messiah University is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,171 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allegheny College is located in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allegheny College 8:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 7.1% lower than at Allegheny College ($13,098 vs. $14,100).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Allegheny College than at Messiah University (about $14,310 more per year; $56,550 vs. $42,240).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 69.3% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($44,987 vs. $26,576).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Messiah University than at Allegheny College (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Allegheny College and Messiah University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Messiah University average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Allegheny College (3.53).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Allegheny College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $3,011 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($25,989 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allegheny College students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.