Messiah University vs Union University

Messiah University and Union University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Messiah, rooted in Christian faith, boasts a lower acceptance rate (69%) compared to Union's (84%). Messiah's student body is predominantly White (79%), while Union's is more diverse (59% White). Both universities excel in certain disciplines: Messiah in Nursing and Union in Engineering. While Messiah graduates 75% of its students within four years, Union's four-year graduation rate stands at 63%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Messiah University logo

Messiah University

Union University logo

Union University

Overview

Location Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Jackson, Tennessee
Campus setting Suburb: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester 4-1-4
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 85.0% 87.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Interdenominational Baptist

Admission

Acceptance rate 77.4% 52.9%
Application fees $50
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $25
SAT range 1100 - 1340 1120 - 1330
ACT range 23 - 31 23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 57.0% 14.0%
Students submitting ACT score 11.0% 86.0%
Total number of applicants 2,458 2,660
Total number of admissions given out 1,902 1,407
Admitted students who chose to enroll 551 355
Yield rate 29.0% 25.2%
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 Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $54,340 $57,160
Average net price $23,895 $27,660
Tuition $37,430 $34,320
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,970

Meal plan: $5,250
Room/dormitory: $8,250

Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $26,620
99.0%
Average amount $27,090
Students receiving federal student loan 65.0%
Average amount $5,510
48.0%
Average amount $5,366
Students taking out private loans 24.0%
Average amount $11,228
6.0%
Average amount $10,345

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,495
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
1,993
Men 34.9% Women 65.1%
Graduate students 781
Men 28.6% Women 71.4%
937
Men 29.5% Women 70.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 34.6% N/A
International students 2.8% 1.6%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,403 1,288
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 77.0% 68.3%
Dropout rate 4.8% 8.5%
Transferred out 18.3% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,515
  • Year 2: $60,623
  • Year 3: $64,027
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,062
  • Year 2: $53,608
  • Year 3: $62,810
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,117
  • Year 2: $62,546
  • Year 3: $62,631
Music (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,416
  • Year 2: $55,693
  • Year 3: $56,809
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,254
  • Year 2: $49,214
  • Year 3: $53,924
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,970
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: $47,853
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,875
  • Year 2: $37,054
  • Year 3: $47,113
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,733
  • Year 2: $40,621
  • Year 3: $45,156
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,616
  • Year 2: $39,523
  • Year 3: $44,488
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,316
  • Year 2: $35,594
  • Year 3: $41,855
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,140
  • Year 2: $120,955
  • Year 3: $125,017
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,963
  • Year 2: $90,412
  • Year 3: $90,742
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,081
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $76,100
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,416
  • Year 2: $70,680
  • Year 3: $68,907
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,095
  • Year 2: $58,673
  • Year 3: $58,445
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,930
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $57,493
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,028
  • Year 2: $44,590
  • Year 3: $47,722
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,732
  • Year 2: $47,191
  • Year 3: $47,278
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,103
  • Year 2: $43,674
  • Year 3: $45,420
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,212
  • Year 2: $39,693
  • Year 3: $41,241

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