RPI vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

RPI vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Muhlenberg College? 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 Muhlenberg College than RPI ($34,739 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 19.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($14,548 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $1,276 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at RPI than at Muhlenberg College (about $1,276 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($43,517 vs. $42,545).

RPI vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 110 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming RPI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

RPI vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Muhlenberg College? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $1,010 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($273 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.