Messiah University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Messiah University was $39,700 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 2.98%–from $38,550 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not tell the full story. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Messiah University meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Messiah University is around $31,881 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $38,028 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Messiah University

Messiah University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Pennsylvania as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Tuition for International Students at Messiah University

Tuition at Messiah University is the same for all students.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Messiah University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Messiah University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideMessiah University •Messiah University-specific loans •Messiah University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Messiah University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Messiah University.

House and Food Costs at Messiah University

Room and board at Messiah University costs $11,910 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Messiah University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $6,335.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Messiah University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Messiah University

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Messiah University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is sometimes expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Messiah University campus is located in a town in Pennsylvania.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Messiah University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Messiah University.

How Much Does Messiah University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Messiah University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$39,700
Room and Board	$11,910
Board Only	$5,575
Other expenses	$1,740

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$54,290
Off-Campus	$48,385

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Messiah University

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The majority of Messiah University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 1,646 of the 2,495 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Messiah University meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $31,881 a year. Around 71% of Messiah University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Messiah University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $38,028 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$23,609
Private Loans	$43,511

Most Common Loans for Messiah University Students
Federal Loans	70%
Private loans	24%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Messiah University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Messiah University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Messiah University awarded 1,628 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $39 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $12.9 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Messiah University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Messiah University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Messiah University was $31,881 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Messiah University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$22,409
Off-Campus	$16,504

What will attending Messiah University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Messiah University's net cost calculator on their website.

Messiah University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Messiah University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Messiah University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Messiah University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Messiah University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Messiah University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Messiah University's endowment was valued at $140.2 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $10,573 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Messiah University

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