Florida Southern vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Messiah University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Florida Southern vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Messiah University? 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 Florida Southern College than Messiah University ($29,384 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 8.8% lower than at Florida Southern College ($13,098 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $1,800 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Florida Southern than at Messiah University (about $1,800 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Messiah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($31,394 vs. $26,576).

Florida Southern vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern or Messiah University? 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 Messiah University and Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 10 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Messiah University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Florida Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Florida Southern vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Messiah University? 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $1,989 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 65%)

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.