Is Messiah University test optional?

We haven't confirmed Messiah University's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Messiah University's acceptance rate?

79% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 1,941 of 2,458 applicants were admitted. Applications held near 2,458, and Messiah University's admit rate went from 79% to 79%.

What ACT score do you need for Messiah University?

5% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 27–33, with a median of 30. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1150–1350 works out to about 23–29.

What GPA do you need for Messiah University?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.79 high school GPA, and 37% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

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What SAT score do you need for Messiah University? (Middle 50%: 1150–1350)

First-year students at Messiah University who sent an SAT scored 1150–1350, with a median of 1240 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Messiah University admits 79% of applicants.

Messiah University · Mechanicsburg, PA

Where your score lands at Messiah University

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1150–1350, median 1240

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Messiah University is for you and whether to send your score.

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Messiah University by the numbers

Admit rate: 79%
Middle 50% SAT: 1150–1350
Median SAT: 1240
About on the ACT: 23–29
Sent an SAT: 51%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Messiah University admit rate over 10 years

Applications held near 2,458, and Messiah University's admit rate went from 79% to 79%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	2,458	1,941	79%
2023	2,375	1,864	78%
2022	2,438	1,936	79%
2021	2,458	1,902	77%
2020	2,549	1,976	78%
2019	2,640	2,003	76%
2018	2,530	1,996	79%
2017	2,558	1,970	77%
2016	2,596	2,064	80%
2015	2,469	1,950	79%

In fall 2024, 564 of the 1,941 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Messiah University

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1100Far reachHold
1100–1140ReachHold
1150–1230TargetHold
1240–1340TargetSend
1350 and upLikelySend

100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Messiah University SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	560	610	670
SAT Reading and Writing	580	640	700
SAT total	1150	1240	1350
ACT composite	27	30	33

Of enrolled first-year students, 51% sent an SAT and 5% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.79; 100% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 37%; of new students who reported a rank

Messiah University cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $26,502; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 75%
Median earnings: $54,064; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 2,799

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Messiah University

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Messiah University Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Messiah University website
Messiah University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1150–1350, and the median was 1240. At 1240 or higher you're above half of them. Messiah University admits 79% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$