Muhlenberg College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Muhlenberg College ($23,570 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 24.1% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($14,548 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $5,881 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Penn than at Muhlenberg College (about $5,881 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($65,458 vs. $42,545).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 210 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 68% at Penn.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $59,900 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,857 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($213 vs. $273).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.