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Messiah University (MU)

Black Pinpoint One University Avenue Suite 3005 | Mechanicsburg, PA | 17055

01. Overview

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

Ribbon icon

Best Northeast
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Green Colleges
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The Best 389 Colleges

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
2,458
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
79%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.84

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
570 - 680

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
540 - 670

SAT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1120 - 1230

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
26 - 31

What would you score on the digital SAT today?

Testing Policies

Superscore ACT
Yes
Superscore SAT
Yes
Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

Admission Factors Icon
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Admission Factors Icon
Academic GPA

Non-Academic

Extracurricular Activities Icon
Extracurricular Activities
Talent / Ability Icon
Talent / Ability
Character / Personal Qualities Icon
Character / Personal Qualities
Religious Affiliation / Commitment Icon
Religious Affiliation / Commitment

Selectivity

Admissions selectivity rating
85/99

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$41,300
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,290
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
3860
Transportation for Commuters
$1,970
On-Campus Room and Board
12390
Approximate Expenses per year
$60,810

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05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
12 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
376
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
227

Gender

Women
207
Men
169
Minority
47
International
1

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Professors
interesting rating
82/99
Professors
accesible rating
86/99
Academic rating
82/99

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
74%
Graduate in 5 years
78%
Graduate in 6 years
79%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

Notable Faculty

Dr. Edward Davis

Professor of History and Science, Health and Natural Sciences

David Vader

Professor of Engineering, Mathematics, Engineering and Business

Dr. Raeann Hamon

Chair, Dept. of Human Development and Family Science, Education and Social Sciences

Dr. William Stowman

Professor of Music, Arts

Dr. Douglas Jocobson

Professor of Christian History and Theology, Humanities

Prominent Alumni

Dr. LeRoy Walters

President of Kennedy Institute of Ethics

Dr. Ernest L. Boyer

Former US Secretary of Education and President of the Carnegie Foundation

Dr. Ray Crist

Director of the Columbia Group of the Manhattan Project

Dr. Phil Thuma

Director of Malaria Institute in Zambia

Dr. Amy Sherman

Direct of Center on Faith in Communities, Senior Fellow, Sagamore Institute

Mr. Peter Greer

President of Hope International

Andrew Samuel

President, CEO, and Director of Sunshine Bancorp, Inc.

06. Student Body

Gender

58% female42% male

Out of State

34% are out
of state66% are
in-state

Students

85% are
full time15% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
2,618
Foreign Countries Represented
23

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.09%
Asian
3.76%
Black
3.98%
Hispanic
9.43%
Caucasian
75.08%
Unknown
1.06%
International
2.30%

07. Mental Health

Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings

Institution has a mental health/wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and well-being services available to all students
No
Mental Health Website

Education & Training

Types of training available for students and faculty/staff
Program
Availability
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Available for faculty & staff;
Not Reported
Other trainings description:
QPR Training is offered for Residence Life Staff Time

Engaging the Whole Campus

Institution has a Chief Behavioral Health Officer (and/or Chief Wellness Officer)
No
Clinicians are trained to provide care to these specific groups:
Undergraduates
Graduate students
Racial/ethnic minority student
Students who are veterans
LGBTQIA+ students
Student-athletes
International students
Students on scholarship or financial aid
First-generation students

Peer-to-Peer

Institution has peer-to-peer offerings relating to mental health
No

Residential Life

Institution incorporates mental health and wellness into the residential experience
Yes
A brief description of offerings:
Residence Life Staff receive Mental Health First Aid, they are also offered mental health training in their training, they meet with all of their students to review all mental health resources

Student Orientation

Students who are provided an opportunity to participate in mental-health-orientation activities
First-year students
Students required to participate
Incoming transfer students
Students required to participate
else {
Not Reported
}
Returning students
Students required to participate
Entering graduate students
Not Reported

Mental Health in the Curriculum

The institution offers for-credit mental health/well-being education for students
No plans for such offerings
The institution offers non-credit mental health/well-being education for students
No plans for such offerings
Details of non-credit offering:
mental health curriculum is offered in the student leadership training initiative

Off-Campus Offerings

Institution offers referrals to off-campus counseling services
Yes

Health and Counseling Center Accreditation

Institution's counseling center is accredited
No
Accrediting body
Not Reported

Taking and Returning from Medical Leave

Institution has an official support program in place for students returning from mental health leave of absence
Yes

Counseling Demand

Number of months a year counseling center is open and fully staffed
10 months

08. Campus Life

Fire safety rating
89%
Quality of life
83%
Students
85%
First-Year Students
89%
Campus Environment
Village
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

Most Popular Places On Campus

Larsen Student Union

Eisenhower Campus Center

Sollenberger Sports Center/Falcon Fitness Center

Starry Athletic Complex

Oakes Museum of Natural History

The scenic Yellow Breeches Creek runs through the 375-acre suburban campus complete with a covered bridge, swinging walking bridge, fitness trail, water activities and fishing.

Most Popular Places Off Campus

PA State Capitol, Harrisburg

Hershey Park and Chocolate World

Appalachian Trail

Capitol City Mall

Lancaster & Hershey Outlets

The university is located just 10-miles south of the state capitol, Harrisburg. Hershey, Gettysburg and Lancaster are all less than 1 hr. drive. The larger cities of Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia are within 2 hours of the campus. For more information about the local area check out http://www.messiah.edu/info/20240/area_information

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Kristin Thomas
Director of Admissions Hospitality
Location Icon
Office of Undergraduate Admissions One University Avenue, Suite 3005 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone icon
800-233-4220

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday - Friday, some Saturdays

Calendar icon
M-F: 8 am-5 pm; S: 9:30 am-noon on specific days
Phone icon
8002334220

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
9 am - 5 pm
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit

Individual coach email addresses available on staff directory page located below;

Globe Iconvisitmessiah@messiah.edu

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
No
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
available for all campus tours

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Harrisburg International Airport is a 30 minute drive from the campus. There is also bus and train service in the city of Harrisburg. Guests are welcome to request pickup from the admissions office at any of these terminals with a two-week notice.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

Messiah University is located 10 miles south of Harrisburg, PA on US 15. US 15 can be accessed by any of the following major routes: 81, 83/581, 76 (PA Turnpike) Southbound on US 15: Travel approximately 3 miles beyond the PA Turnpike interchange to Lisburn Road, and turn left. After the first stop sign, turn right into the main campus entrance. Northbound on US 15: Travel approximately 4 miles beyond the PA 74 North intersection near Dillsburg to Lisburn Road, and turn right. After the first stop sign, turn right into the main campus entrance.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Comfort Inn 1012 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; 717-766-3700 Best Western Plantation Inn Rt. 15 and PA Turnpike 717-766-0238 Econolodge Rt. 15 and PA Turnpike 717-766-4728 Hampton Inn Rt. 15 north of PA Turnpike, 717-691-1300 1-800-hampton Homewood Suites Rt. 15 north of PA Turnpike 717-697-4900 1-800-callhome Wingate Inn Rt. 15 and PA Turnpike 717-766-2710 1-800-228-1000


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Participate in intramural sports
37%
Participate in intercollegiate sports
23%

Men's Sports (Falcons)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Lacrosse
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Swimming
Icon
Tennis
Icon
Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
Icon
Volleyball
Icon
Wrestling

Women's Sports (Falcons)

Icon
Basketball
Icon
Cross Country
Icon
Lacrosse
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Softball
Icon
Swimming
Icon
Tennis
Icon
Track Field Indoor
Icon
Track Field Outdoor
Icon
Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

Icon
Apartment Single
Icon
Disabled Student
Icon
Dorms Coed
Icon
Dorms Female
Icon
Dorms Male
Icon
International Student
Icon
Theme Housing

Special Needs Admissions

Director
Amy Slody
College Entrance Tests Required
Yes
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
70
Number of Honor Societies
3
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
9

12. Student Services

Health

Military

Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Dickinson College

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes

Green rating

89%

Food budget spent on local/organic food

0%

Available Transportation Alternatives

Bike Share
Checkmark icon
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Checkmark icon
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Checkmark icon

CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit 91³Ô¹Ï's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

91³Ô¹Ï publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education:

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Checkmark icon
Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
X Mark icon
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
X Mark icon
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
X Mark icon

13. Financial Aid

Financial Aid Rating

73%

Dates

Icon
Notification DateApr 1

Required Forms

FAFSA

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$28,091
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$25,218
Average Need-Based Loan
$5,254
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
74%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$41,957
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$27,774
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Nursing Scholarships
03 - Need-Based Federal Pell
04 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
05 - Need-Based SEOG
06 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - College/university loans from institutional funds
02 - Federal Nursing Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
74%
Graduate in 5 years
78%
Graduate in 6 years
79%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Interest Inventory
04 - Internships
05 - On Campus Interviews
06 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Experiential
02 - Internship

15. Majors

Down Arrow Icon

01 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
  • Biochemistry.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Molecular Biology.
Down Arrow Icon

02 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Accounting.
  • Actuarial Science.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Finance, General.
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
Down Arrow Icon

03 COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.
  • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Down Arrow Icon

04 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Communications Technology/Technician.
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05 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance.
  • Computer Science.
  • Information Science/Studies.
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06 EDUCATION.
  • Art Teacher Education.
  • Biology Teacher Education.
  • Chemistry Teacher Education.
  • Computer Teacher Education.
  • Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs.
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs.
  • English/Language Arts Teacher Education.
  • Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education.
  • Foreign Language Teacher Education.
  • Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching.
  • Mathematics Teacher Education.
  • Music Teacher Education.
  • Physical Education Teaching and Coaching.
  • Physics Teacher Education.
  • Social Studies Teacher Education.
  • Spanish Language Teacher Education.
Down Arrow Icon

07 ENGINEERING.
  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering, General.
  • Computer Software Engineering.
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering, General.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering.
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08 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
  • English Language and Literature, General.
Down Arrow Icon

09 FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
  • Child Care and Support Services Management.
  • Child Development.
  • Family and Community Services.
Down Arrow Icon

10 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
  • Chinese Language and Literature.
  • Spanish Language and Literature.
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11 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Dietetics/Dietitian.
  • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies.
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
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12 HISTORY.
  • History, General.
  • Public/Applied History.
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13 HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
  • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
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14 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
  • Mathematics, General.
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15 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
  • Biopsychology.
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
  • Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
  • Sustainability Studies.
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16 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
  • Environmental Science.
Down Arrow Icon

17 PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
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18 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
  • Philosophy.
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19 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
  • Chemistry, General.
  • Physics, General.
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20 PSYCHOLOGY.
  • Psychology, General.
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21 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
  • Social Work.
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22 SOCIAL SCIENCES.
  • Development Economics and International Development.
  • Economics, General.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Sociology.
Down Arrow Icon

23 THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS.
  • Bible/Biblical Studies.
  • Religious Education.
Down Arrow Icon

24 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
  • Cinematography and Film/Video Production.
  • Dance, General.
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General.
  • Graphic Design.
  • Music Performance, General.
  • Music, General.
  • Music, Other.
  • Musical Theatre.

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