Lehigh vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Lehigh vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh 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 Lehigh University than Muhlenberg College ($34,154 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 15.5% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,548 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $2,175 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Lehigh than at Muhlenberg College (about $2,175 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Lehigh University (99% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($46,731 vs. $42,545).

Lehigh vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh 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 Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 110 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Lehigh vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh 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).

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,234 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($250 vs. $273).
• More Lehigh 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.