Barnard vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Barnard College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Barnard vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard 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 Barnard College than Muhlenberg College ($26,407 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 33% lower than at Barnard College ($14,548 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $7,083 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Barnard than at Muhlenberg College (about $7,083 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Barnard College (99% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($63,131 vs. $42,545).

Barnard vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard 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 Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 190 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Barnard students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Barnard vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Barnard College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,900 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $8,643 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($17,847 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($184 vs. $273).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.