Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 78.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 78.5%
- Retention Rate
- 85.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,064
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,621
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 82.8%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $272/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,546 | $27,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $60,623 | $24,750 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Certificate | $57,318 | |
| Music. | Master | $55,693 | $21,472 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,608 | $23,125 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $51,273 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $49,214 | $23,073 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,621 | $27,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Master | $39,523 | $49,107 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $37,568 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $37,054 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $35,594 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,581 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Messiah graduates earn a median of $54,064 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 47%. Monthly loan payments of $272 consume about 6% of typical graduate income. The university's strong nursing and education programs funnel graduates into stable healthcare and teaching careers. With a 97.8% employment rate, finding work isn't the challenge. The 82.76% loan repayment rate suggests most graduates can handle their debt burden. However, the relatively modest earnings compared to the $54,010 total cost of attendance means students are paying premium prices for middle-income outcomes. This represents an average return on investment for those prioritizing Christian liberal arts education.