Amherst vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Muhlenberg College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Muhlenberg College ($19,049 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 20.9% lower than at Amherst College ($14,548 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $7,675 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Amherst than at Muhlenberg College (about $7,675 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($68,591 vs. $42,545).

Amherst vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Muhlenberg College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Muhlenberg College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 210 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Amherst vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Muhlenberg College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,515 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($134 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.