Messiah University vs Patrick Henry College
Messiah University and Patrick Henry College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Messiah University, a private Christian university in Grantham, Pennsylvania, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a diverse student body representing 48 states and 50 countries. With popular majors in nursing, business, and education, Messiah graduates enjoy a 95% placement rate within six months of graduation. On the other hand, Patrick Henry College, a private Christian college in Purcellville, Virginia, has a more selective admissions process with a 48% acceptance rate. Its student body is predominantly from the United States, with popular majors in government, history, and economics. Patrick Henry College prides itself on its 100% job placement rate for graduates. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Messiah University |
![]() Patrick Henry College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Purcellville, Virginia |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 85.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Interdenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.4% | 82.4% |
Application fees | $50 | $40 |
SAT range | 1100 - 1340 | 1170 - 1408 |
ACT range | 23 - 31 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 57.0% | 67.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 44.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,458 | 239 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,902 | 197 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 551 | 105 |
Yield rate | 29.0% | 53.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $54,340 | $38,325 |
Average net price | $23,895 | $25,430 |
Tuition | $37,430 | $28,400 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,970
Meal plan:
$5,250
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Room/dormitory:
$5,000
Meal plan:
$6,020
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,620 |
95.0%
Average amount $13,947 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,510 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
Students taking out private loans |
24.0%
Average amount $11,228 |
12.0%
Average amount $20,509 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,495
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
387
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
Graduate students |
781
Men 28.6% Women 71.4% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 34.6% | N/A |
International students | 2.8% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 2,403 | 295 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Delaware | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.0% | 71.0% |
Dropout rate | 4.8% | 27.5% |
Transferred out | 18.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
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N/A |
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