City College of New York vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY City College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

City College of New York vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Muhlenberg College ($4,664 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 22.8% lower than at CUNY City College ($14,548 vs. $18,840).
• Muhlenberg College is 755.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $55,465 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 310.8% higher at Muhlenberg College than at CUNY City College (about $47,515 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at CUNY City College (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 335.8% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($42,545 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 80 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMuhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than City College of New York (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

City College of New York vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $15,090 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($11,400 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($117 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 52%)

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.