ATU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Messenger College 8:1.

ATU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Messenger College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than Messenger College ($12,626 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 22.3% lower than at Messenger College ($10,338 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $2,946 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at ATU than at Messenger College (about $3,048 more per year; $14,668.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Messenger College (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 151.3% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($9,901 vs. $3,940).

ATU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Messenger College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messenger College and ATU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

ATU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Messenger College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.