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.
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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
95.71 %Acceptance Rates78.48 %
18.74 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)31.97 %
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