Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver than Muhlenberg College ($18,581 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 0.5% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($14,474 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 335.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $48,397 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.2% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Beaver (about $38,671 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Beaver (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 370.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($42,545 vs. $9,045).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 140 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver 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 Beaver graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver 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.