Muhlenberg College vs. JMU

Deciding between Muhlenberg College and James Madison University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Muhlenberg College
James Madison University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Muhlenberg College Midsize City
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Muhlenberg College 1,788
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Muhlenberg College Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Muhlenberg College #96
  • JMU #246
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Muhlenberg College Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • JMU -
  • Status
  • Muhlenberg College Non-profit
  • JMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Muhlenberg College
  • JMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & Board
  • Muhlenberg College $14,548
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average Net Price
  • Muhlenberg College $34,739
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Muhlenberg College $42,545
  • JMU $12,114
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Muhlenberg College 99%
  • JMU 33%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Muhlenberg College 4,963
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Muhlenberg College 3,573
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Muhlenberg College 72%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Muhlenberg College 13%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Muhlenberg College 1330
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Muhlenberg College 31
  • JMU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Muhlenberg College 3.44
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Muhlenberg College B+
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Muhlenberg College Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • JMU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Muhlenberg College 29/33
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Muhlenberg College 1250/1410
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Muhlenberg College Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Muhlenberg College 9:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Muhlenberg College
    • Business (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Muhlenberg College 86%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Muhlenberg College $63,700
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Muhlenberg College 84%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Muhlenberg College $26,490
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Muhlenberg College $273
  • JMU $216

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Muhlenberg College 42%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Muhlenberg College 58%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Muhlenberg College No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Muhlenberg College 75%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Muhlenberg College 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Muhlenberg College 3%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Muhlenberg College 7%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Muhlenberg College 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Muhlenberg College 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Muhlenberg College 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Muhlenberg College 3%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Muhlenberg College 8%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Muhlenberg College 26%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Muhlenberg College 73%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Muhlenberg College Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Muhlenberg College No
  • JMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Muhlenberg College Yes
  • JMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Muhlenberg College Yes
  • JMU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Muhlenberg College No
  • JMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or JMU? 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 James Madison University than Muhlenberg College ($18,856 vs. $34,739).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 10.3% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($13,056 vs. $14,548).
  • Muhlenberg College is 340.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $48,555 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 98.7% higher at Muhlenberg College than at James Madison University (about $31,201 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 251.2% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($42,545 vs. $12,114).

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Muhlenberg College or JMU? 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 JMU and Muhlenberg College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 70 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
  • Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than JMU (71.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Muhlenberg College vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and JMU? 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 James Madison University's (81%).
  • Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than JMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $60,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,591 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,490).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($216 vs. $273).
  • More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JMU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.