Messiah University
Messiah University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Messiah University at a Glance
Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university with it main campus in Grantham, Pennsylvania and Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania, near Mechanicsburg.
1909
117 years old
$141M
$141.1 million (2025)
2,495
173
Identity
Is Messiah University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Messiah University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,064 — 1% above average — while paying $26,502/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Messiah University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Messiah University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #53 of 149 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #5 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #53 | Messiah University | 39 | $26,502 | $54,064 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Messiah University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in PA.
Best Programs at Messiah University
The highest-earning program at Messiah University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $23,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Messiah University earns $61,500, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $23,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,985 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,502/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,500 | $61,500 | $27,000 |
| Engineering, General | $54,800 | $54,800 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,700 | $52,700 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,000 | $41,000 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,500 | $40,500 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $35,000 | $35,000 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,200 | $33,200 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,000 | $26,000 | $26,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,375 |
| Psychology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $23,562 |
| Religious Education | $23,600 | $23,600 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,985 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mechanicsburg, PA
- Student Body
- 2,259 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,502
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,064
- Median Student Debt
- $25,621