Messiah University vs Lebanon Valley
Messiah University and Lebanon Valley College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Messiah University, a private Christian college, boasts a lower acceptance rate (75%) compared to Lebanon Valley College's (85%). Messiah's student body is predominantly White (79%) and female (59%), while Lebanon Valley College's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students (6%). Messiah University excels in nursing, business, and education programs, while Lebanon Valley College is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum. With Messiah University's higher graduation rate (78%) compared to Lebanon Valley College's (69%), both institutions provide ample opportunities for students to succeed. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lebanon Valley College |
![]() Messiah University |
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Overview |
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Location | Annville, Pennsylvania | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Suburb: 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 | 84.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Interdenominational |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.6% | 77.4% |
Application fees | $50 | |
SAT range | 1078 - 1290 | 1100 - 1340 |
ACT range | N/A | 23 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 57.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,019 | 2,458 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,344 | 1,902 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 474 | 551 |
Yield rate | 20.2% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,590 | $54,340 |
Average net price | $26,944 | $23,895 |
Tuition | $45,860 | $37,430 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,190
Meal plan:
$6,620
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Room/dormitory:
$5,970
Meal plan:
$5,250
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $33,021 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,620 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,260 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,510 |
Students taking out private loans |
21.0%
Average amount $16,934 |
24.0%
Average amount $11,228 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,691
Men 46.8% Women 53.2% |
2,495
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
Graduate students |
350
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
781
Men 28.6% Women 71.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 34.6% |
International students | 1.0% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,270 | 2,403 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Delaware |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.9% | 77.0% |
Dropout rate | 5.7% | 4.8% |
Transferred out | 25.7% | 18.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
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