Elizabethtown College vs Messiah University

Elizabethtown College and Messiah University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Elizabethtown College, with an acceptance rate of 75%, welcomes a diverse student body, with 20% identifying as racial or ethnic minorities. Messiah University, on the other hand, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%, and a student body that is predominantly White (84%). While both colleges offer a range of undergraduate programs, Elizabethtown College is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum, while Messiah University excels in fields such as nursing, business, and education. With graduation rates of 65% and 70% respectively, both institutions are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Elizabethtown College	Messiah University
Overview
Location	Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Interdenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	79.5%	77.4%
Application fees	$50	$50
SAT range	1070 - 1280	1100 - 1340
ACT range	24 - 28	23 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	57.0%
Students submitting ACT score	4.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	2,510	2,458
Total number of admissions given out	1,995	1,902
Admitted students who chose to enroll	434	551
Yield rate	21.8%	29.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$44,556	$54,340
Average net price	$26,534	$23,895
Tuition	$34,000	$37,430
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,100 Meal plan: $6,230	Room/dormitory: $5,970 Meal plan: $5,250
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $19,157	100.0% Average amount $26,620
Students receiving federal student loan	69.0% Average amount $5,362	65.0% Average amount $5,510
Students taking out private loans	22.0% Average amount $14,342	24.0% Average amount $11,228

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,691 Men 40.9% Women 59.1%	2,495 Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students	242 Men 23.1% Women 76.9%	781 Men 28.6% Women 71.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	25.3%	34.6%
International students	1.4%	2.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,418	2,403
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland Delaware Virginia	Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Delaware

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Communication and Journalism	Health Professions Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	75.5%	77.0%
Dropout rate	4.4%	4.8%
Transferred out	19.9%	18.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $92,826 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,381 Year 2: $62,508 Year 3: $70,731 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,063 Year 2: $64,307 Year 3: $70,253 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,660 Year 2: $54,386 Year 3: $61,588 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,810 Year 2: $48,901 Year 3: $54,166 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,433 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $45,335 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,346 Year 2: $41,441 Year 3: $42,984 Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,564 Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $42,401 Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,592 Year 3: $41,007 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,772 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $33,533	Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,515 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $64,027 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,062 Year 2: $53,608 Year 3: $62,810 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,117 Year 2: $62,546 Year 3: $62,631 Music (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,416 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $56,809 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,254 Year 2: $49,214 Year 3: $53,924 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $32,970 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $47,853 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,875 Year 2: $37,054 Year 3: $47,113 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,733 Year 2: $40,621 Year 3: $45,156 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,616 Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $44,488 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,316 Year 2: $35,594 Year 3: $41,855

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

Elizabethtown College and Messiah University, while both located in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Elizabethtown College is known for its strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on experiential learning and preparing students for a wide range of careers. Messiah University, on the other hand, integrates a Christian faith perspective into all aspects of its curriculum and campus life, emphasizing service and spiritual development alongside academic rigor. Consider your personal values and academic goals when deciding which institution aligns best with your needs.
How do the academic programs at Elizabethtown College and Messiah University compare?

Both institutions offer a variety of undergraduate programs. Elizabethtown College is particularly strong in fields like occupational therapy, engineering, and business, emphasizing hands-on learning and research opportunities. Messiah University also has strong programs in these areas, but additionally offers programs deeply rooted in Christian ministry, theology, and related fields. Review the specific departments and course offerings of each college to see which aligns with your academic interests.
What is the campus culture like at Elizabethtown College versus Messiah University?

Elizabethtown College fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. Messiah University's campus culture is intentionally shaped by its Christian identity, with a strong emphasis on community, service, and spiritual growth. Students at Messiah will find a more structured environment with specific community standards rooted in Christian values. Consider which type of campus environment best suits your personal preferences and values.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

The cost of attendance at Elizabethtown College and Messiah University is generally comparable. However, it's important to consider that tuition and fees can vary slightly each year. Both institutions offer financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's recommended to visit the financial aid websites of both colleges and use their net price calculators to estimate your individual cost of attendance based on your family's financial situation. Also, explore any merit-based scholarships you might qualify for.
What are the religious affiliations of Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

Elizabethtown College has a historical affiliation with the Church of the Brethren, but it welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. While its heritage informs its values, it is not overtly religious in its daily operations. Messiah University is an explicitly Christian university in the Anabaptist, Pietist tradition. Its mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.
What are the opportunities for student involvement and extracurricular activities at each college?

Both Elizabethtown College and Messiah University offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, sports, and volunteer opportunities. Elizabethtown College has a diverse selection of clubs and organizations catering to various interests, from academic to social to recreational. Messiah University also offers a robust selection of activities, with a particular emphasis on service-oriented clubs and organizations, as well as opportunities for spiritual growth and leadership development. Both schools offer NCAA Division III athletics.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Elizabethtown College and Messiah University provide career services to help students prepare for their future careers. Elizabethtown College emphasizes experiential learning, offering numerous internship and research opportunities to help students gain practical experience. Messiah University also provides career counseling, resume workshops, and internship placement assistance, often connecting students with opportunities within Christian organizations and ministries. Check the specific resources and employer connections available at each institution to see which aligns with your career aspirations.
What is the location like for Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

Elizabethtown College is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, a small town in Lancaster County. It offers a quiet, close-knit community with easy access to larger cities like Lancaster and Harrisburg. Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Harrisburg. It provides a more suburban setting with convenient access to the state capital and surrounding areas. Consider which type of environment you prefer – a small-town feel or a more suburban setting with access to urban amenities.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

Both Elizabethtown College and Messiah University pride themselves on having a low student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and professors. While the exact ratio may vary slightly from year to year, both institutions generally maintain a ratio that fosters a supportive and engaging learning environment. This allows for smaller class sizes and more opportunities for students to connect with their professors.
How do the graduation rates and post-graduate outcomes compare between Elizabethtown College and Messiah University?

Both Elizabethtown College and Messiah University boast strong graduation rates and positive post-graduate outcomes for their students. Both institutions prepare students well for their chosen career paths or further education. You can find specific data on graduation rates, employment rates, and graduate school acceptance rates on the respective college websites. These statistics can provide valuable insights into the success of graduates from each institution.

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