Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Grantham, Pennsylvania |
| Online | messiah.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Interdenominational |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Grantham, Pennsylvania, approximately 12 miles southwest of Harrisburg, Messiah College is a private Christian liberal arts institution situated on a 471-acre suburban campus. Founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah maintains its Christian heritage while welcoming students of all faiths and backgrounds. The college offers more than 150 academic programs across three schools, with notable strengths in engineering, nursing, business, and the visual and performing arts. Residential life is central to the campus experience, with most students living in campus housing throughout their enrollment. The Messiah Falcons compete in NCAA Division III athletics as members of the Middle Atlantic Conference, with particularly strong programs in men's and women's soccer.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Messiah College is rated within the top 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Messiah College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#362 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#263 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#30 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#28 in Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania
#457 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#41 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1100/1340 |
| ACT | 22/30 |
| GPA | 3.8 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,460 |
| Other Fees | $940 |
| Room and Board | $11,910 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,760 |
| Total One Year Cost | $56,770 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 19% |
| Business | 13% |
| Health Professions | 10% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Biology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Messiah College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=213996 IPEDS survey data for Messiah College.
Current students may use the Messiah College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025