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Colleges / Messiah University

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate77%
Acceptance Rate77%

Messiah University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Messiah University was $38,550 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 2.99%–from $37,430 the prior year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Does Messiah University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

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

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's criteria for in-state residency. 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 too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Messiah University?

Tuition at Messiah University is the same for each student.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify 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.


Messiah University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. 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 is $11,560 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Messiah University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $6,150.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Messiah University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Messiah University

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? 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 impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is often costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Messiah University campus is in a small town setting in Pennsylvania.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to take into account 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.


Total Tuition and Expenses at Messiah University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Messiah University.

Total Cost of Messiah University

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $38,550
Room and Board $11,560
Board Only $5,410
Other expenses $1,610

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $54,010
Off-Campus $48,250

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.


Messiah University Financial Aid


The majority of Messiah University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2022, 1,662 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 $34,422 a year. Around 72% 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 $40,462 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $24,194
Private Loans $42,671
Most Common Loans for Messiah University Students
Federal Loans 71%
Private loans 27%

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 2022, Messiah University awarded 1,640 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $38.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $13 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 $34,422 in 2022. 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 $19,588
Off-Campus $13,828

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 make more informed decisions about 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 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 colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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.


Learn More About Messiah University


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Messiah University:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about Messiah University in the College Confidential forums

Messiah University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$52,400

In State

$52,400

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$38,550
$38,550
Fees
$940
$940
Housing
$11,560
$11,560
Books
$1,350
$1,350

Messiah University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

72%

Average Financial Aid Package

$29,853

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

3,276

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

77%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$39,490

Out-of-State

$39,490

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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