SUNY Stony Brook vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University than Muhlenberg College ($20,992 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 20% lower than at Stony Brook University ($14,548 vs. $18,196).
• Muhlenberg College is 474.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $51,874 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.8% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Stony Brook University (about $30,064 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Stony Brook University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 358.2% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($42,545 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Stony Brook 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 SUNY Stony Brook.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 90 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming SUNY Stony Brook students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Muhlenberg College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $7,490 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($196 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.