Location: Mechanicsburg, PA•In-State Tuition: $40,640•Admission Rate: 78%•Avg SAT: 1214
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$73,497
Est. from PA median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,431
Est. from PA median (8 programs)

Analysis

When peers programs in Pennsylvania typically position graduates around $73,500 in first-year earnings—the state median—this places comparable management sciences degrees squarely in the middle of the pack. That's actually above the national benchmark of $62,000 for this field, suggesting Pennsylvania's robust business and financial services sector supports stronger outcomes than many other states. The estimated debt of $26,400 produces a manageable 0.36 ratio, meaning graduates from similar programs could expect to earn nearly three times their debt in their first year.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures drawn from peer institutions rather than Messiah's own graduates, you're making assumptions about how this specific program performs. The school's 78% admission rate and mid-range SAT scores suggest it serves a different population than powerhouses like Penn (where graduates earn over $104,000), but whether Messiah's outcomes track closer to nearby Lebanon Valley College or lag behind isn't clear from the data.

For a field built on data analysis and optimization, the lack of program-specific outcomes is ironic. If your child is choosing between programs with actual reported data and this one, lean toward transparency. If Messiah stands out for other reasons—fit, community, affordability—the peer data suggests this credential won't be a financial anchor, but you're essentially betting on averages rather than proven results.

Where Messiah University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally

Messiah University (estimated ±10%)Other management sciences and quantitative methods programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (29 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg$40,640$73,497*—$26,431*—
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia$66,104$104,502*—$15,750*0.15
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$76,606*—$27,000*0.35
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia$22,082$74,778*$86,666$26,000*0.35
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia$60,663$74,357*$86,702$28,750*0.39
Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville$50,320$73,497*—$27,000*0.37
National Median—$62,069*—$23,250*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

$91,290/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Messiah University, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.