Messiah University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Messiah University
A covered bridge over a quiet creek sets the scene, and it fits. The campus feels close-knit and outdoorsy, with hammocks by the water and a steady rhythm of concerts, worship gatherings, and late-night coffee runs. Student life leans active and service-minded; clubs, intramurals, trail hikes, and paddles on the Yellow Breeches keep weekends lively. The culture is faith-informed and respectful, where professors know names and conversations reach beyond class.
Messiah University is known for blending a liberal-arts core with hands-on work in the sciences, business, health fields, engineering, and the arts. Labs, studios, performance venues, and athletic facilities support that mix, while advising, tutoring, counseling, and campus ministry anchor student care. Career prep shows up in internships around the Harrisburg area, connections to nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and firms, and mentoring that feels personal. Mechanicsburg offers a small-town pace with quick access to the capital's museums and employers. Traditions like campus-wide service projects and creekside events give the place a distinct heartbeat.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Messiah University offers 86 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 864 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (9 programs, 237 graduates), Education (17 programs, 128 graduates), Business (8 programs, 109 graduates), Arts (10 programs, 86 graduates) and Engineering (5 programs, 52 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (9 programs, 237 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 97 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.9999 |
| Registered Nursing | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Occupational Therapy | 36 |
|
Master's
|
51.2306 |
| Physical Therapy | 26 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Nursing Practice | 12 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Athletic Training | 10 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Dietetics | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3101 |
| Pre-Occupational Therapy | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1107 |
| Health Administration and Management | 1 |
|
Master's
|
51.0701 |
Education (17 programs, 128 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Business (8 programs, 109 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Digital Marketing | 20 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1404 |
| Finance, General | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Marketing Management | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| International Business and Trade | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Organizational Leadership | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0213 |
| Actuarial Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1304 |
Arts (10 programs, 86 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Performance | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Studio Arts, General | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Music | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Dance | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Graphic Design | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Musical Theatre | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Music | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0999 |
| Music Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1003 |
Engineering (5 programs, 52 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1001 |
| General Engineering | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0101 |
| Civil Engineering | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0801 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0501 |
Psychology (1 programs, 38 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Communication (4 programs, 28 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0900 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
| Journalism | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 27 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Molecular Biology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0204 |
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 23 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biopsychology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1001 |
| Sustainability Studies | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3301 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0501 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 22 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.1003 |
| Computer Science | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Messiah University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Messiah University
How much does it cost to attend Messiah University?
The annual tuition at Messiah University is $40,640 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $56,770 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,910 and books and supplies $1,460.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Messiah University offer?
Messiah University offers 86 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (9 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (17 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (10 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Messiah University?
Messiah University has an 78.5% acceptance rate and a 32% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,375
- Students admitted: 1,864
- Students enrolled: 596
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Messiah University?
Messiah University provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $24,223 and average loans of $11,755.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,504
- State/Local grants: $4,385
- Institutional grants: $21,885
- Federal loans: $7,955
The university supports 587 students with grants and 370 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Messiah University graduates?
Messiah University graduates earn a median salary of $50,192 after 6 years and $54,064 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $38,104 (25th percentile) to $75,950 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $78,100 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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