Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Berks is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (1,884 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Berks? 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 Berks than Muhlenberg College ($23,721 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks 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 Berks (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 Berks (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 Berks (99% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 352.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($42,545 vs. $9,405).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 150 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Penn State Berks? 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 Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Penn State Berks 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 Berks 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 Berks graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks 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.