2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More

$23,895

Net Price

77%

Admitted

29%

Enrolled

77%

Graduation Rate

12/1

Student / Faculty

University Detail

Messiah University

is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 3,276. In 2021, there were 49 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #13 in Pennsylvania and ranks #183 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.

Psychology Degrees Offered

Bachelor

Psychology Graduates

49

Total Enrollment

3,276

Type

Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years

Institution Accreditation

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Ranking for Messiah University

Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.

#13

Pennsylvania Rank

Combining ranking factors for 93 schools that offer psychology degrees in Pennsylvania, Messiah University ranks #13.

#183

U.S. Rank

Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Messiah University ranks #183.

Psychology Programs Offered

For psychology degrees, Messiah University offers Biopsychology, General Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level.

In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.

Psychology Graduates in 2021BS
Biopsychology11
General Psychology26
Social Work12
Total Graduates49
US Department of Education

Admission, Enrollment, Graduation

In the fall of 2021, 2,458 students applied to the Messiah University. The university admitted 77% and 29% of those who were admitted also enrolled.

By comparison, the average number of applicants for Pennsylvania universities is 6,852. On average, all Pennsylvania institutions admit 77% and 23% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.

The percentage of Messiah University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 85%. Compared to all Pennsylvania four or more years colleges, the percentage is 75%.

The overall graduation rate for Messiah University is 77%, compared to 66% for all Pennsylvania universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 24%.

  • Credits Accepted: Dual enrollment, Credit for life experiences, Advanced placement (AP) credits

Compare MU to Pennsylvania Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees

Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Messiah University to the average of all Pennsylvania four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.

Why it Matters

Compare Admission and Enrollment

Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.

MU

2,458

Applicants

77%

Percent Admitted

29%

Percent Enrolled

85%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

77%

Graduation Rate

PA Colleges

6,852

Applicants

77%

Percent Admitted

23%

Percent Enrolled

75%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

66%

Graduation Rate

Student & Faculty Information

In the fall of 2021, there were 172 or 48% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 187 or 52% part-time faculty members employed at Messiah University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 172 or 48%.

Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.

Why it Matters

Compare Faculty Numbers

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.

MU

12 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

48%

Percent Full-Time

52%

Percent Part-Time

48%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

PA Colleges

13 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

52%

Percent Full-Time

48%

Percent Part-Time

51%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

Tuition and Student Expenses

For the 2021-2022 academic year at Messiah University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $37,430, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,260.

For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $13,050 and the average cost for graduate fees is $0.

In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Messiah University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.

Expenses for Messiah University2021-2022
On Campus Room & Board$11,220
On-Campus Living Expenses$2,370
Total Living Expenses$13,590
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$37,430
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$1,260
Total Undergraduate Expenses$52,280
In-State, Graduate Tuition$13,050
In-State, Graduate Fees$0
Total Graduate Expenses$13,050
US Department of Education

Net Price

Average Net Price

The average net price to attend Messiah University is $23,895. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.

In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.

Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.

Compare Messiah University to all Pennsylvania universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.

For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.

Why it Matters

Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.

MU

$52,280

Cost to Attend

$21,650

Average Financial Aid

100%

Percent Receiving Aid

$23,895

Net Price

PA Colleges

$45,060

Cost to Attend

$18,452

Average Financial Aid

92%

Percent Receiving Aid

$21,691

Average Net Price

Financial Aid

The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 611 or 100%.

The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 2,528 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $21,650.

All Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid# Receiving AidAverage Aid Received
Grant or Scholarship Aid2,528$21,650
Pell Grants518$4,384
Federal Student Loans1,594$6,653
US Department of Education

Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Messiah University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.

We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.

Why it Matters

Compare Financial Aid

Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.

MU

2,528

Grant or Scholarship Aid

54%

Grants or Scholarships

518

Number of Pell Grants

11%

Pell Grants

1,594

Federal Student Loans

34%

Federal Student Loans

PA Colleges

3,134

Grant or Scholarship Aid

49%

Grants or Scholarships

1,217

Number of Pell Grants

19%

Pell Grants

2,090

Federal Student Loans

32%

Federal Student Loans

See Additional Psychology Schools for Pennsylvania.

psychology Source Data from

See all data sources including 1,934 Psychology School Programs