Mechanicsburg, PA · Private University
Is Messiah University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,064
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$40,640
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,640
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$162,560
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.33x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
78.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,621
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,686
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Messiah University graduates earn $9,064 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Messiah University ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
68 graduates
80 graduates
45 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Messiah University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Messiah University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $71,979) and the lowest (Religious Education: $31,662) is $40,317/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $71,979 | 1.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,786 | 1.7x |
| Engineering, General | $67,268 | 1.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,737 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $57,306 | 1.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $49,205 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,815 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,306 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,300 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,335 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $35,935 | 0.9x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $35,739 | 0.9x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $35,400 | 0.9x |
| Social Work(1yr data) | $34,818 | 0.9x |
| Religious EducationLowest | $31,662 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Messiah University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $54,064 10 years after starting, $9,064 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.