Muhlenberg College vs. PLU

Should I go to Muhlenberg College or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Muhlenberg College or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Ursinus College Skidmore College SPU Lafayette College Hobart William Smith Colleges Lehigh Drexel Bucknell UW-Seattle Fordham Syracuse Union College
Muhlenberg College vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Muhlenberg College Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Muhlenberg College Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Muhlenberg College PLU
Location Allentown, PA Tacoma, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,959 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #88 #311
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website muhlenberg.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Muhlenberg College PLU
Tuition (In State) $57,270 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $57,270 $49,472
Room & Board $13,440 $11,826
Avg Net Price $32,926 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $38,412 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Muhlenberg College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,329 3,334
Admitted 2,836 2,964
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 88.9%
Enrolled % 14.8% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/33 27/30
SAT Range 1200/1400 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Muhlenberg College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Muhlenberg College PLU
Graduation Rate 86% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,700 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,490 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $273 $266

Diversity

Muhlenberg College PLU
% Men 39% 36%
% Women 61% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 75% 68%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

Muhlenberg College PLU
% In-State 31% 74%
% Out-of-State 68% 22%

Campus

Muhlenberg College PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,959 students)

Muhlenberg College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or PLU?

  • Muhlenberg College is 15.8% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($57,270.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.8% higher at Muhlenberg College than Pacific Lutheran University ($57,270.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Muhlenberg College ($24,825 vs. $32,926)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 13.6% lower than costs at Muhlenberg College ($11,826 vs. $13,440)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Muhlenberg College (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 5.4% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($38,412 vs. $36,435)

Muhlenberg College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Muhlenberg College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Muhlenberg College .

  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Muhlenberg College (65.5%)

Muhlenberg College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Muhlenberg College or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Muhlenberg College.

  • The graduation rate at Muhlenberg College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (86% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn on average $11,400 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($63,700 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $690 lower median federal student loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,490)
  • PLU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Muhlenberg College graduates. ($266 vs. $273)
  • More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/