Muhlenberg College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Muhlenberg College ($22,469 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 28.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,548 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $2,689 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Swarthmore than at Muhlenberg College (about $2,689 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Swarthmore College (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($61,634 vs. $42,545).

Muhlenberg College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Muhlenberg College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore and Muhlenberg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 200 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Muhlenberg College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,990 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($201 vs. $273).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.