Academic Comparison between Penn State Greater Allegheny and Messiah

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny and Messiah University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a four-year, public school located in McKeesport, 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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny ($24,134).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Greater Allegheny.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,160) than Penn State Greater Allegheny (1,160).
  • Messiah has more students with 3,373 students while Penn State Greater Allegheny has 352 students.
  • Penn State Greater Allegheny has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Messiah's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Messiah has more full-time faculties with 175 faculties while Penn State Greater Allegheny has 39 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Alleghenyvs.Messiah University
McKeesport, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$14,408
Out-Of-State$24,134
2025 Tuition & Fees$42,240
83%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$11,736Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,893
96.47 %Acceptance Rates78.97 %
19.46 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.06 %
1,160SAT Score1,230
-ACT Score27
19 %Graduation Rate75 %
33 %Transfer-out Rate19 %
78 %Retention Rate89 %
352Student Population3,373
39Number of Faculties175
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services