Howard vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Howard vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard University than Muhlenberg College ($33,368 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 16% lower than at Howard University ($14,548 vs. $17,322).
• Muhlenberg College is 75.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $26,995 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.4% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Howard University (about $26,995 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at Muhlenberg College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 100.1% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($42,545 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 120 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Howard vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 33%)

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.