Messenger College: 50.0% Acceptance Rate

50.0%Acceptance

$11,200Tuition

26Students

56%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,463Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24Other Protestant

About Messenger College

Messenger College trains future pastors and ministry leaders in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With just 26 students enrolled, this Protestant institution offers intensive biblical education and ministry preparation. The suburban Bedford campus provides a close-knit learning environment where students receive personal attention from faculty. Every student here shares a calling to Christian service and ministry.

The financial picture tells a complex story. Students pay an average net price of $18,541 after aid, while the sticker price sits at $11,200 for tuition. However, graduates earn a median of $29,463 ten years after graduation, creating potential financial strain. The loan repayment rate of 34% suggests many alumni struggle to pay back their educational debt. Nearly 85% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the school's commitment to making ministry education accessible despite modest family incomes.

The student body skews heavily female at 62%, typical for ministry programs that attract women called to Christian education and counseling roles. With a 67% retention rate and 33% four-year graduation rate, completing the program requires dedication. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures every student receives mentoring crucial for ministry preparation.

Academics & Faculty

Messenger College centers its academics around ministry training and biblical education. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors work closely with each of the 26 students on campus. However, only 32.65% of students graduate in four years, suggesting the intensive ministry preparation can be challenging to complete on schedule. The 55.60% six-year graduation rate shows that while some students need extra time, most eventually finish their biblical studies programs. Students receive hands-on ministry experience alongside their coursework. The college's Protestant foundation shapes every aspect of the curriculum, preparing graduates for pastoral work, missions, and Christian leadership roles.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Graduation Rate (4-year): 32.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 55.6%
Retention Rate: 66.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,463
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Campus Life

Messenger College sits in Bedford, Texas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex where summer heat regularly pushes into the 90s and mild winters rarely require heavy coats. With just 26 students enrolled, this tiny Christian college creates an intimate campus where everyone knows everyone. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors become mentors who track your spiritual and academic growth closely.

About 62% of students are women, reflecting the college's focus on ministry training where female students often pursue roles in children's ministry and missions. Only 25% of students come from Texas, drawing a small but geographically diverse group to this Protestant institution. The campus houses up to 64 students, though with such low enrollment, dorm life feels more like an extended family than typical college housing.

Weekend activities center around fellowship and service rather than parties. Students often travel together for mission trips or local ministry work. The median earnings of $29,463 ten years after graduation reflect the college's mission-focused rather than profit-driven career paths in ministry and nonprofit work.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Housing Capacity: 64 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 35°–55°F
July Avg: 75°–94°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.0"
Annual Snowfall: 2.0"

Student Demographics

Messenger College draws students committed to Christian ministry from across the country, with three-quarters coming from outside Texas. The student body is predominantly white and female, reflecting the college's focus on biblical education and ministry preparation. Most students come from lower-income backgrounds, with 84% receiving Pell Grants. The small enrollment of just 26 students creates an intimate learning environment centered on faith-based education. Students typically choose Messenger for its specialized religious training rather than traditional academic programs, seeking preparation for pastoral and ministry roles.

Men: 38.5%
Women: 61.5%
White: 65.4%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 15.4%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 25.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 84.2%

Location

Messenger College sits in Bedford, Texas, about 20 miles from downtown Dallas. The campus operates in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. Bedford itself is a mid-sized suburb with around 50,000 residents. The location provides access to major employers, internships, and cultural attractions across the DFW region. Students can reach downtown Dallas or Fort Worth within 30 minutes by car. The area features typical North Texas geography with rolling hills and warm summers. The suburban setting offers a quieter environment while maintaining proximity to two major cities. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Messenger College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Bedford, Texas 76021

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,463
Loan Repayment Rate: 34.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Messenger College?

Messenger College accepts 50% of applicants, making admission moderately competitive. The small Christian college in Bedford, Texas focuses on preparing students for ministry careers. With only 26 total students enrolled, the admissions process emphasizes fit for the college's biblical education mission.

How much does Messenger College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $18,541 annually at Messenger College. The college charges $11,200 for tuition regardless of residency status. About 84% of students receive financial aid, with many qualifying for Pell Grants due to the school's focus on serving lower-income families called to ministry.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Messenger College?

Messenger College maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with its tiny enrollment of just 26 students. This creates an intimate learning environment ideal for the college's hands-on approach to ministry training. The small size allows for personalized mentorship in biblical studies and practical ministry skills.

What are the graduation rates at Messenger College?

Only 33% of students graduate from Messenger College within four years, while 56% complete their degrees within six years. The college's focus on ministry preparation often leads students to transfer to larger institutions or enter ministry work before graduating. Graduates earn a median of $29,463 ten years after enrollment, reflecting typical ministry sector compensation.

Where do students live at Messenger College?

Messenger College has housing capacity for 64 students, more than its current enrollment of 26. Room and board costs $12,635 annually on the suburban Bedford campus. The small residential community creates tight bonds among students preparing for Christian ministry careers.

Does Messenger College serve mostly in-state students?

Only 25% of Messenger College students come from Texas, despite its Bedford location. The college draws students nationwide who seek specialized biblical education and ministry training. Women make up 62% of the student body, reflecting broader trends in Christian higher education enrollment.