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Messiah University vs Thomas Jefferson University

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate81.1%80.7%
Early decision rateNo EDNo ED
SAT middle 50%1150–1350—
ACT middle 50%27–33—
Applicant reports on our site—4

Cost and aid

Tuition$43,815$49,943
Food and housing$13,871$17,076
Sticker price per year$58,776$68,496
Average need-based grant$31,761$40,549
Average % of need met82%90.7%

Outcomes

First-year retention88.4%85.5%
6-year graduation rate78%71.2%
Undergraduates2,7224,005

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

Messiah University or Thomas Jefferson University?

Is Messiah University harder to get into than Thomas Jefferson University?

They are about equally selective: Messiah University admitted 81.1% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and Thomas Jefferson University admitted 80.7% (2025-26).

Which is cheaper, Messiah University or Thomas Jefferson University?

Before aid, Messiah University costs about $58,776 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $68,496 at Thomas Jefferson University (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $31,761 at Messiah University and $40,549 at Thomas Jefferson University.

Does Messiah University or Thomas Jefferson University have a higher graduation rate?

78% of Messiah University students graduate within six years, compared with 71.2% at Thomas Jefferson University.

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