Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Should I go to Muhlenberg College or Penn State Harrisburg? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Muhlenberg College or Penn State Harrisburg 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.

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Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg comparison
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Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
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Overview

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
Location Allentown, PA Middletown, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,818 4,651
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #92 #595
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website muhlenberg.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
Tuition (In State) $59,505 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $59,505 $26,112
Room & Board $13,955 $15,870
Avg Net Price $31,814 $22,406
Avg Grant Aid $42,021 $8,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 54%

Admission

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,348 10,296
Admitted 2,783 9,924
Acceptance Rate 64% 96.4%
Enrolled % 15.3% 12.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 26/30
SAT Range 1230/1400 1110/1320
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

Academics

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Engineering (23%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
Graduation Rate 86% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,700 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,490 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $273 $277

Diversity

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
% Men 1% 5%
% Women 1% 6%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 75% 59%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 10%
% Unknown Race 8% 2%

Students

Muhlenberg College Penn State Harrisburg
% In-State 31% 46%
% Out-of-State 68% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Harrisburg is larger than than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (4,651 students vs. 1,818 students)

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Harrisburg?

  • Muhlenberg College is 286.7% more expensive to attend than Penn State Harrisburg for in-state tuition ($59,505.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 127.9% higher at Muhlenberg College than Penn State Harrisburg ($59,505.00 vs. $26,112.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Harrisburg than Muhlenberg College ($22,406 vs. $31,814)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 13.7% lower than costs at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,955 vs. $15,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Muhlenberg College than Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 54%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 399% larger than aid received Penn State Harrisburg ($42,021 vs. $8,421)

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (96.4%) than Muhlenberg College (64%)

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg and Muhlenberg College.

  • The graduation rate at Muhlenberg College is higher than Penn State Harrisburg (86% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn on average $8,400 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates after ten years. ($63,700 vs. $55,300)
  • Muhlenberg College students graduate with a $328 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates. ($26,490 vs. $26,818)
  • Muhlenberg College graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans 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/