Liberty University vs Messiah University

Liberty University and Messiah University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Liberty, a private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, boasts a sprawling campus and a diverse student body, while Messiah, a private Christian university in Grantham, Pennsylvania, prides itself on its strong liberal arts foundation and close-knit community. With Liberty's acceptance rate hovering around 50% and Messiah's at a more selective 70%, prospective students should consider their academic qualifications carefully. Liberty's popular majors include business, nursing, and religion, while Messiah excels in fields such as education, engineering, and psychology. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision.

	Liberty University	Messiah University
Overview
Location	Lynchburg, Virginia	Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	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	79.0%	85.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Evangelical	Interdenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	99.3%	77.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	$50
SAT range	N/A	1100 - 1340
ACT range	N/A	23 - 31
Students submitting SAT score		57.0%
Students submitting ACT score		11.0%
Total number of applicants	28,448	2,458
Total number of admissions given out	28,244	1,902
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,461	551
Yield rate	19.3%	29.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$42,620	$54,340
Average net price	$27,891	$23,895
Tuition	$21,663	$37,430
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560	Room/dormitory: $5,970 Meal plan: $5,250
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	89.0% Average amount $12,431	100.0% Average amount $26,620
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $5,619	65.0% Average amount $5,510
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $17,351	24.0% Average amount $11,228

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%	2,495 Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	781 Men 28.6% Women 71.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.0%	34.6%
International students	0.7%	2.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,222	2,403
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida	Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Delaware

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology	Health Professions Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.1%	77.0%
Dropout rate	30.2%	4.8%
Transferred out	5.6%	18.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,316 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $91,964 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,385 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $87,831 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,657 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,205 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,410 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $73,900 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,556 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $65,313 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,731 Year 2: $62,936 Year 3: $64,580 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,576 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $62,807 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,423 Year 2: $57,714 Year 3: $62,225 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $40,885 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $62,169 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,240 Year 2: $59,895 Year 3: $61,052	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 in the overall mission and values of Liberty University and Messiah University?

Liberty University, founded by Jerry Falwell Sr., emphasizes a conservative Christian worldview integrated into all aspects of education, aiming to train Champions for Christ. Messiah University, affiliated with the Brethren in Christ Church, focuses on a broader evangelical Christian perspective, emphasizing reconciliation, service, and global engagement. While both are Christian institutions, Liberty is more politically conservative and emphasizes a specific theological viewpoint, while Messiah takes a more ecumenical approach.
How do the academic programs at Liberty University and Messiah University compare?

Liberty University offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including law, medicine, and aviation, with a strong emphasis on online education. Messiah University provides a more focused selection of programs, primarily at the undergraduate level, with strengths in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs like business and education. Messiah emphasizes experiential learning and close faculty-student interaction, while Liberty offers a larger, more diverse academic environment.
What is the campus environment and student life like at Liberty University versus Messiah University?

Liberty University has a large, vibrant campus with a strong emphasis on athletics, student activities, and a conservative social atmosphere. Messiah University offers a smaller, more intimate campus environment with a focus on community, service, and a more moderate social atmosphere. Liberty's campus culture is heavily influenced by its conservative Christian values, while Messiah's is shaped by its commitment to social justice and global awareness.
What are the key differences in the cost of attendance and financial aid options at Liberty University and Messiah University?

Liberty University's tuition is generally lower than Messiah University's, especially for online programs. Both institutions offer a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. However, the specific aid packages and eligibility requirements may differ. It's best to compare the net cost (cost after financial aid) at each institution based on your individual financial circumstances.
How do the admissions requirements and acceptance rates differ between Liberty University and Messiah University?

Liberty University generally has a higher acceptance rate than Messiah University, making it somewhat less selective. Both institutions consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and extracurricular activities in their admissions process. However, Messiah University may place a greater emphasis on essays and recommendations that demonstrate a commitment to its values of service and community engagement.
What types of athletic programs are offered at Liberty University and Messiah University?

Liberty University boasts a Division I athletic program with a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. Messiah University competes at the Division III level, offering a variety of sports with a focus on student-athlete development and a balance between academics and athletics. Liberty's athletic program is more competitive and nationally recognized, while Messiah's emphasizes participation and a holistic approach to athletics.
How do Liberty University and Messiah University approach spiritual life and religious activities?

Both universities offer a variety of spiritual life activities, including chapel services, Bible studies, and ministry opportunities. Liberty University's spiritual life is more structured and emphasizes a specific theological perspective. Messiah University offers a more diverse range of spiritual activities, encouraging students to explore their faith in a variety of ways and engage in interdenominational dialogue.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at Liberty University and Messiah University?

Both Liberty University and Messiah University offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career counseling. Liberty University has a larger alumni network due to its size and longer history. Messiah University's alumni network is smaller but often characterized by strong connections and a commitment to supporting fellow graduates. The strength of each network may vary depending on your field of study.
What are the surrounding communities like near Liberty University and Messiah University?

Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, a mid-sized city with a growing economy and a variety of cultural attractions. Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a smaller town near Harrisburg, the state capital. Mechanicsburg offers a more suburban environment with easy access to both urban amenities and outdoor recreational opportunities. Lynchburg provides a more self-contained university town experience.
What are some common misconceptions about Liberty University and Messiah University?

A common misconception about Liberty University is that it is solely focused on religious indoctrination, while in reality, it offers a wide range of academic programs and encourages critical thinking within a Christian framework. A common misconception about Messiah University is that it is only for students from the Brethren in Christ Church, when in fact, it welcomes students from all Christian denominations and backgrounds. Both institutions strive to provide a well-rounded education within their respective Christian contexts.

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