MHC vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MHC vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College than Muhlenberg College ($32,526 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 26.1% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($14,548 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $4,213 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at MHC than at Muhlenberg College (about $4,213 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Mount Holyoke College (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 23.2% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($52,418 vs. $42,545).

MHC vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 130 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming MHC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

MHC vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $5,284 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($21,206 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($219 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

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.