Head-to-head comparison
Messiah University vs Automotive Training Center-Exton: which has better ROI?
Option A Mechanicsburg, PA
Messiah University
- Net price / year
- $26,502
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,064
- Payback
- 18.6 yrs
Option B Exton, PA
Automotive Training Center-Exton
- Net price / year
- $12,578
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,112
- Payback
- 18.3 yrs
Automotive Training Center-Exton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,312 in 18.3 years versus 18.6 years at Messiah University, on median earnings of $51,112 vs $54,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Messiah University | Automotive Training Center-Exton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,502 | $12,578 |
| Total net cost | $106,008 | $50,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,064 | $51,112 |
| Median debt | $25,621 | $15,665 |
| Payback | 18.6 yrs | 18.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,072 | $4,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Messiah University or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Automotive Training Center-Exton, at $12,578 a year after aid versus $26,502 — a gap of $13,924 a year, or $55,696 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Messiah University or Automotive Training Center-Exton graduates earn more?
Messiah University graduates report a median $54,064 ten years after entry, $2,952 more than the $51,112 at Automotive Training Center-Exton. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Messiah University or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Automotive Training Center-Exton: its completers carry a median $15,665 in federal loans versus $25,621 at Messiah University, a difference of $9,956. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Messiah University, against 68% at Automotive Training Center-Exton. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.