Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Messiah University: Covered bridge at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Photo: Swampyank, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Messiah University

  • LocationMechanicsburg, PA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 3,344 students

Affiliation: Interdenominational

Official website

Messiah University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Catholic life here hasn’t been researched yet. We research from official sources only, starting with the largest campuses, and we never guess. The nearest Catholic church mapped in OpenStreetMap is 1.8 miles away.

Know the official campus ministry or Mass schedule page? Send us the link.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Messiah University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church: 1.8 mi1Messiah University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church — 1.8 mi · 310 Hertzler Road, Mechanicsburg

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
81 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.75%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.89%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,236 · ACT 28.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.12 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$10,324

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Campus facts

SportsNCAA Division III · Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation
SettingSuburb
ROTCArmy
Study abroadOffered
Students per faculty member12 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
2,586
Total students3,344
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$26,502
Cost of attendance (per year)$55,875
Median federal debt at graduation$25,621
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
75%
First-year retention89%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$54,064
Admission rate79%
Students receiving Pell grants20%
Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1110–1350ACT 26–31
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1236
SAT reading & writing570–680
SAT math540–670
ACT composite26–31
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 51 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Harrisburg

The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 213996
  • Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Interdenominational
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Messiah University a Catholic college?
No. Messiah University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is Interdenominational. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead.

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