Gettysburg College vs. Messiah University

Gettysburg College and Messiah University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Gettysburg College
Messiah University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Gettysburg College (38.9% admitted vs 79%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Messiah University. Average net price is $29,408 vs $32,769 at Gettysburg College.
  • Graduation: Gettysburg College 85% vs Messiah University 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Gettysburg College $60,900 vs Messiah University $48,600 (median).
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Key differences

Gettysburg College Messiah University
Acceptance rate
Gettysburg College more selective
Gettysburg College38.9%
Messiah University79%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Gettysburg College higher
Gettysburg College1270-1460
Messiah University1110-1350
Average net price
Messiah University $3,361 less
Gettysburg College$32,769
Messiah University$29,408
In-state tuition
Messiah University $24,400 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Messiah University$42,240
Out-of-state tuition
Messiah University $24,400 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Messiah University$42,240
Graduation rate
Gettysburg College +11 pts
Gettysburg College85%
Messiah University74%
Median earnings (10 years)
Gettysburg College +$12,300
Gettysburg College$60,900
Messiah University$48,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Gettysburg College 8,366
  • Messiah University 2,458
  • Admitted
  • Gettysburg College 3,254
  • Messiah University 1,941
  • Acceptance rate
  • Gettysburg College 38.9%
  • Messiah University 79%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Gettysburg College 15.6%
  • Messiah University 29.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gettysburg College 1370
  • Messiah University 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gettysburg College 30
  • Messiah University 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Messiah University 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Messiah University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Gettysburg College Very High
  • Messiah University Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Gettysburg College High
  • Messiah University
  • SAT range
  • Gettysburg College 1270-1460
  • Messiah University 1110-1350
  • ACT range
  • Gettysburg College 29-32
  • Messiah University 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Gettysburg College Test optional
  • Messiah University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027
  • Messiah University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Messiah University $42,240
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Messiah University $42,240
  • Room & board
  • Gettysburg College $16,110
  • Messiah University $13,098
  • Average net price
  • Gettysburg College $32,769
  • Messiah University $29,408
  • Average grant aid
  • Gettysburg College $49,191
  • Messiah University $26,576
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Gettysburg College 98%
  • Messiah University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Gettysburg College 85%
  • Messiah University 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Gettysburg College $60,900
  • Messiah University $48,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Gettysburg College 90%
  • Messiah University 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Gettysburg College $22,000
  • Messiah University $25,989
  • Median loan payment
  • Gettysburg College $227
  • Messiah University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Gettysburg College 10:1
  • Messiah University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Gettysburg College
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Messiah University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
  • Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Setting
  • Gettysburg College Distant Town
  • Messiah University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Gettysburg College 2,812
  • Messiah University 3,373
  • Type
  • Gettysburg College Private 4 Year
  • Messiah University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Gettysburg College #80
  • Messiah University #338

Comparable Facts

Compare Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 2,812 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 18.7% lower than at Gettysburg College ($13,098 vs. $16,110).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at Gettysburg College than at Messiah University (about $24,400 more per year; $66,640 vs. $42,240).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Gettysburg College (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 85.1% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($49,191 vs. $26,576).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Gettysburg College than at Messiah University (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Gettysburg College and Messiah University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $3,989 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,989).
  • Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($227 vs. $268).
  • More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messiah University students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 85%).

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

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