Academic Comparison between Messiah and Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Messiah University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre is a four-year, public school located in Dallas, 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 Wilkes-Barre is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than Penn State Wilkes-Barre ($24,006).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,230) than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1,200).
  • Messiah has more students with 3,373 students while Penn State Wilkes-Barre has 315 students.
  • Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Messiah's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Messiah has more full-time faculties with 175 faculties while Penn State Wilkes-Barre has 29 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Messiah Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Mechanicsburg, PennsylvaniaLocationDallas, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie Classification
$42,2402025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,280
Out-Of-State$24,006
90%% Receiving Financial Aid79%
$24,893Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,286
78.97 %Acceptance Rates96.99 %
29.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)15.03 %
1,230SAT Score1,200
27ACT Score-
75 %Graduation Rate23 %
19 %Transfer-out Rate48 %
89 %Retention Rate81 %
3,373Student Population315
175Number of Faculties29
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services