Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Muhlenberg College ($19,066 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 4.8% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($14,548 vs. $15,274).
• Muhlenberg College is 313% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $47,597 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $37,413 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 369.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($42,545 vs. $9,065).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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