Messiah College is a private Christian institution that is home to students from 30 states and 38 countries. Counted amongst the pioneer colleges in Pennsylvania, the institution offers 85+ UG majors and 35+ PG degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Presently, Messiah College ranks #399 in US College Rankings, as per the observation made by The Times Higher Education.
Messiah College also shines in sports, with 22 varsity athletic teams that compete in the NCAA Division III Commonwealth Conference. The education at the institution is fairly affordable, with 98% of the students receiving some sort of grants and scholarships.
Highlights
| Foundation Year | 1909 |
| Location | Pennsylvania |
| Type | Private |
| Campus Setting | Rural |
| No. of Students | 3,370 |
| International Students | 3.8% |
| Annual Acceptance Rate | 76% |
| Estimated Tuition for International Students | $38,370 for UG $24,090 for PG |
| Graduation Rate | 78% |
| Employment Rate | 100% |
| Official Website | https://www.messiah.edu |
Messiah College Campus and Accomodation
Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah College operates through a single campus only. However, the institution has 60+ off-campus study locations and 40+ countries. On the main campus, there are over 70 clubs and student organizations that provide co-curricular activities to help the students to connect with their peers and all these pursuits help to enrich their experience.
There are ample opportunities for practicing athletics on campus, as well as participating in the club sports and recreational leagues that often compete against other colleges and universities.
The college library has a non-exhaustive collection of resources to aid students throughout the course of their study at Messiah University. Students regularly hang out with their friends and relax during their free time at the food places on-campus- The Falcon, Union Café, and the Café Diem. The Lottie Nelson Dining Hall is also available for students to get their meals.
Accommodations
Messiah College is primarily a residential institution, thereby the majority of students are offered accommodation facilities. Different housing options are available at the institution, such as traditional residence halls, apartment type accommodations. Additionally, there are satellite houses for sophomores, junior, and senior students only.
Messiah College housing rates for the year are:
| Types of Rooms | Annual Costs |
|---|---|
| Small Single | $6,440 |
| Large Single | $6,870 |
| Bathroom Single | $7,300 |
| Double | $5,970 |
| Small Triple | $4,290 |
| Large Triple | $5,150 |
| Quad | $5,240 |
| Supplemental Triple | $3,990 |
The students can choose from the following meal plans while staying at Messiah College campus:
| Meal Plans | Costs per Semester |
|---|---|
| Ala Carte – Bronze | $500 |
| Ala Carte – Silver | $750 |
| Ala Carte – Gold | $1000 |
| Dining Dollars | $2,625 |
Messiah College Programs
Messiah University offers majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional advising options organised into four schools: the School of the Arts; the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences; the School of Science, Engineering and Health; and the School of the Humanities.
Some of the popular programs of Messiah College are Business Administration,Engineering, Nursing, Psychology, Applied Health Science, and International Business.Students need to provide the basic tuition fees of $38,370 to engage in the academic programs offered at Messiah College.
In addition to major requirements, there is a general education curriculum, required for all students, that includes theology courses, philosophy, literature, social science, art courses, worldviews classes, physical education courses, etc.
Messiah College Admission
The international students seeking admission at Messiah College need to go through the following process and requirements to secure their admission at the academic programs of the institution:
How to Apply?
- Apply through Online Application Portal or by Mail
- Application fee: $50
- Application Deadline: NA
Admission Requirements:
The students need to submit the following documents to complete the application process:
- Official Transcripts
- ACT/SAT Scores
- Results of any national exams taken
- Proof of English proficiency
- Affidavit of Support with reliable financial documentation proving financial capabilities to support education at Messiah University. ($27,000/year)
- Copy of visa if available, or a copy of passport photo ID page.
English Language Proficiency Tests
The international students need to submit one of the following language tests to prove their English language proficiency:
Messiah College Cost of Attendance
When deciding to study abroad, the international student applicants need to keep in mind the living expenses involved at their desired study programs of USA institutions.The college estimated costs for Messiah College for the year, are tabulated below:
| Categories | Costs |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $37,430 |
| Basic Fees | $940 |
| Room (double) | $5,970 |
| Meals(maximum) | $5,250 |
Messiah College Scholarship and Financial Aids
Messiah College offers a wide range of scholarship programs making education quite affordable for them. As per the university records almost 98% of the students at Messiah receive some form of financial aid.
Although the financial aids are not available for international students, there are quite a few merit-based scholarships that international students can still qualify for and the lists of scholarships are given below:
| Scholarships | Awards/Benefits |
|---|---|
| Provost's Scholarship | Up to $15,000 |
| School of Arts Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Dean’s Scholarship in the Humanities | $1,000 |
| Dean's Scholarship in Business | $1,000 |
| Messiah University Scholarship | $10,000 |
Students can check the outside scholarships offered by USA: USA Scholarships
Work While you Study:
Numerous on-campus job opportunities are available for students at Messiah university that can act as financial aid to alleviate the expenses of attending college to a noticeable extent.Over 1,300 students are employed during an academic year, along with 150 summer student employees.
Messiah College Alumni Network
Aside from the rich lifelong bonds alumni at Messiah University earn through their experiences, the institution also grants several awards every year: the Young Alumni Achievement Award, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, Alumni Christian Service Award and Alumni Appreciation Award, to name a few.
Some of the notable alumni at Messiah University:
- Chris Heisey, Professional Baseball Outfielder
- Vanessa Alfano, Weather Anchor
- Peter Enns, American Scholar
- Peter Greer, Advocate
- Ray Crist, American Chemist
Messiah College Placements
Messiah College generally witnesses the satisfactory placements of the passed-out students. As per PayScale the highest paid former students of Messiah College are Software Engineers with an average yearly salary of $68,784. Some of the other top professions of Messiah College students are tabulated below:
| Professions | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $68,784 |
| Director of Operations | $66,576 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $63,948 |
| Project Manager | $58,604 |
| Marketing Coordinator | $42,884 |
Among the top 20 Value Schools in North, Messiah University provides a comparatively affordable option for students considering an international higher education in the United States, with most of the accepted students qualifying for scholarships, grants, and financial aid to some extent. Added to the internship and employment opportunities it offers along with a welcoming environment for international students, the university can be a stepping stone towards a great career for many international students.
FAQs
Does Messiah University offer a three-year degree option?
Yes, students are given the opportunity to reach their credit goals for earning a bachelor’s degree before schedule in 3 to 3.5 years.
Can international students apply for graduate studies at Messiah University?
No, only US citizens or permanent residents can pursue graduate studies at the university.
What is the recommended deadline for applying for admission?
There are no deadlines for application since Messiah University accepts rolling admissions. It is generally advised to apply for admissions at least 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the session being applied for.
What are the special housing options for international students?
International students, like others, have the option to reside on-campus during the academic year for the four years of their study. All students are required to live on-campus for their first year unless they are living with family members.
Can I change my major of study at Messiah University?
Yes, students can change their majors at any point, but international students must keep in mind that this can cause them to spend more time at Messiah University than the predetermined eight semesters, which might extend beyond the viability of their financial aid as well as their F-1 student visa.
Are there any majors that non-US citizens can not apply for?
No, international students can choose any of the majors offered at Messiah University, but if there are state regulations or external certification requirements, or accreditation requirements for some majors that non-US citizens can not be eligible for, they are advised to discuss it with the relevant academic departments.
Are international students qualifiable for need-based financial aid?
Yes, although international students are not eligible for federal scholarships offered by the US government, there are numerous need-based scholarships made available for them by the university. The need is considered on the basis of financial information in the Affidavit of Support.
What is the acceptance rate of Messiah College?
The acceptance rate of Messiah College is nearly 76%.
