Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg than Muhlenberg College ($23,788 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 360.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($42,545 vs. $9,245).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg 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.