Academic Comparison between Messiah and SU

Messiah University and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 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 SU is a four-year, public school located in Shippensburg, 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 SU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than SU ($15,824).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than SU.
  • Messiah has higher submitted ACT score (27) than SU (22).
  • SU has more students with 5,161 students while Messiah has 3,373 students.
  • Messiah has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while SU's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • SU has more full-time faculties with 233 faculties while Messiah has 175 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Messiah Universityvs.Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Mechanicsburg, PennsylvaniaLocationShippensburg, 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 ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$42,2402025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,570
Out-Of-State$15,824
90%% Receiving Financial Aid83%
$24,893Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,828
78.97 %Acceptance Rates86.50 %
29.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.51 %
1,230SAT Score-
27ACT Score22
75 %Graduation Rate56 %
19 %Transfer-out Rate22 %
89 %Retention Rate77 %
3,373Student Population5,161
175Number of Faculties233
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare