Emerson vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Emerson vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($34,739 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 30.5% lower than at Emerson College ($14,548 vs. $20,920).
• Muhlenberg College is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $5,749 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Emerson College (about $5,749 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($42,545 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 20 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Emerson vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($242 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

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.