Purchase College vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Purchase College vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Muhlenberg College ($18,211 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 11.5% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,548 vs. $16,436).
• Muhlenberg College is 601.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $53,852 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 227.1% higher at Muhlenberg College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $43,602 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at SUNY at Purchase College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 307.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($42,545 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 50 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Purchase College vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $23,500 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($232 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 65%)

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.