Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre than Muhlenberg College ($16,621 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 4.8% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($14,548 vs. $15,274).
• Muhlenberg College is 339.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $48,525 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.6% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $38,799 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 336.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($42,545 vs. $9,742).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 120 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• 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 Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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