Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Messiah University

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Messiah University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and Messiah University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Messiah University is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah University has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,640) than Penn State Behrend ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah University than Penn State Behrend.
  • Both Penn State Behrend and Messiah University have the same submitted SAT scores (1,210).
  • Both Penn State Behrend and Messiah University have the same submitted ACT scores (26).
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,295 students while Messiah University has 3,231 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Messiah University's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 286 faculties while Messiah University has 195 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Behrend Messiah University
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Messiah University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
2024 Tuition & Fees$40,640
74%% Receiving Financial Aid95%
$10,004Average Amount of Financial Aid$26,414
96.00 %Acceptance Rates78.02 %
18.99 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)32.00 %
1,210SAT Score1,210
26ACT Score26
42 %Graduation Rate78 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate16 %
82 %Retention Rate86 %
3,295Student Population3,231
286Number of Faculties195
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services