Carnegie Mellon vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Muhlenberg College than Carnegie Mellon ($34,739 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 19.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,548 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $3,441 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Muhlenberg College (about $3,441 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Carnegie Mellon University (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($48,107 vs. $42,545).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 210 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $39,000 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $240 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($271 vs. $273).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.