Hope College vs Messiah University

Hope College and Messiah University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Hope College, nestled in the charming town of Holland, Michigan, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 74%, indicating its selectivity. Messiah University, located in the vibrant town of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has a higher acceptance rate of 80%, making it a more accessible option. Both institutions excel in academics, with Hope College excelling in the liberal arts and Messiah University excelling in the sciences. While Hope College's student body is predominantly White (79%), Messiah University's student body is more diverse, with a significant population of Hispanic (20%) and Black (10%) students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Hope College	Messiah University
Overview
Location	Holland, Michigan	Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Protestant	Interdenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.4%	77.4%
Application fees		$50
SAT range	1100 - 1330	1100 - 1340
ACT range	24 - 31	23 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	57.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	4,172	2,458
Total number of admissions given out	3,854	1,902
Admitted students who chose to enroll	793	551
Yield rate	20.6%	29.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$46,800	$54,340
Average net price	$28,688	$23,895
Tuition	$36,300	$37,430
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,020 Meal plan: $6,380	Room/dormitory: $5,970 Meal plan: $5,250
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $21,987	100.0% Average amount $26,620
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,148	65.0% Average amount $5,510
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $15,533	24.0% Average amount $11,228

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,132 Men 38.5% Women 61.5%	2,495 Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students	N/A	781 Men 28.6% Women 71.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	34.6%
International students	2.3%	2.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,472	2,403
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Delaware

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Business Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Foreign Languages and Literatures	Health Professions Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.6%	77.0%
Dropout rate	19.2%	4.8%
Transferred out	N/A	18.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,322 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $72,313 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $71,669 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,426 Year 2: $58,777 Year 3: $65,929 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,978 Year 2: $58,108 Year 3: $59,160 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,084 Year 2: $44,418 Year 3: $54,157 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,887 Year 2: $40,768 Year 3: $43,511 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,462 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $43,135 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,998 Year 2: $38,621 Year 3: $41,964 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,013 Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $40,600 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,918 Year 2: $21,964 Year 3: $36,728	Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,515 Year 2: $60,623 Year 3: $64,027 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,062 Year 2: $53,608 Year 3: $62,810 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,117 Year 2: $62,546 Year 3: $62,631 Music (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,416 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $56,809 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,254 Year 2: $49,214 Year 3: $53,924 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $32,970 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $47,853 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,875 Year 2: $37,054 Year 3: $47,113 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,733 Year 2: $40,621 Year 3: $45,156 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,616 Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $44,488 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,316 Year 2: $35,594 Year 3: $41,855

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary religious affiliations of Hope College and Messiah University?

Hope College is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America (RCA), while Messiah University is affiliated with the Brethren in Christ Church. This influences the campus culture, values, and some academic programs at each institution.
How do the academic programs compare at Hope College and Messiah University?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs. Hope College is known for its strong programs in the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, as well as its performing arts. Messiah University is recognized for its programs in education, nursing, and engineering. Both schools offer a solid liberal arts foundation.
What is the student body size and campus environment like at each school?

Hope College has a slightly larger undergraduate student population than Messiah University. Hope's campus is located in Holland, Michigan, a vibrant city with a strong Dutch heritage. Messiah University is situated in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a suburban setting with easy access to Harrisburg and other urban areas. Both campuses offer a close-knit community feel.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Hope College and Messiah University?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between the two institutions. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly impact the net cost for individual students. It's recommended to check the specific financial aid information on each university's website.
What are the opportunities for student involvement and extracurricular activities?

Both Hope College and Messiah University offer a rich array of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, clubs, intramural sports, and volunteer opportunities. Hope College has a strong emphasis on Greek life and a vibrant arts scene. Messiah University has a robust campus ministry program and a focus on service and social justice.
How do the athletic programs differ at Hope College and Messiah University?

Both universities are members of NCAA Division III. Hope College competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), while Messiah University competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Both schools offer a variety of varsity sports, providing ample opportunities for student athletes.
What are the career services and support systems available to students?

Both Hope College and Messiah University provide comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, internship opportunities, and job placement assistance. They both have strong alumni networks that support students in their career pursuits.
How do the campus cultures reflect their religious affiliations?

Both institutions integrate their religious affiliations into campus life. Hope College emphasizes Reformed Christian values, with chapel services and opportunities for spiritual growth. Messiah University fosters a Brethren in Christ perspective, with a focus on service, peace, and social justice, also offering chapel and spiritual development programs.
What are the housing options like at Hope College and Messiah University?

Both universities offer on-campus housing for undergraduate students. Hope College provides a variety of residence halls and apartment-style living options. Messiah University also offers a range of residence halls, fostering a strong sense of community among students.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific major?

It depends on the major. Hope College is particularly strong in the sciences and performing arts. Messiah University excels in education, nursing, and engineering. Research the specific programs and faculty within your intended major at each institution to determine the best fit for your academic goals.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Hope College

La Sierra University