Academic Comparison between Messiah and Penn State Harrisburg

Messiah University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Messiah is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mechanicsburg, PA and Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Messiah is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Harrisburg is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,230) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • Both Messiah and Penn State Harrisburg have the same submitted ACT scores (27).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more students with 4,478 students while Messiah has 3,373 students.
  • Messiah has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more full-time faculties with 246 faculties while Messiah has 175 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Messiah Penn State Harrisburg
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Messiah Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Mechanicsburg, PennsylvaniaLocationMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie Classification
$42,2402025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
90%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$24,893Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,737
78.97 %Acceptance Rates97.60 %
29.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.24 %
1,230SAT Score1,220
27ACT Score27
75 %Graduation Rate26 %
19 %Transfer-out Rate-
89 %Retention Rate82 %
3,373Student Population4,478
175Number of Faculties246
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services