Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Messiah

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

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Messiah is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Behrend.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Behrend (1,220).
  • Both Penn State Behrend and Messiah have the same submitted ACT scores (27).
  • Messiah has more students with 3,373 students while Penn State Behrend has 3,336 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while Messiah has 175 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Messiah University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$42,240
74%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,893
96.83 %Acceptance Rates78.97 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.06 %
1,220SAT Score1,230
27ACT Score27
44 %Graduation Rate75 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate19 %
83 %Retention Rate89 %
3,336Student Population3,373
256Number of Faculties175
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, 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