Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona than Muhlenberg College ($21,618 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 0.5% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($14,474 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 293.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $46,833 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Altoona (about $35,847 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 283.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($42,545 vs. $11,088).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona and Muhlenberg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 150 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $328 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,490 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 69%)

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.