SUNY-ESF vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Muhlenberg College ($19,814 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 19.5% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($14,548 vs. $18,080).
• Muhlenberg College is 575.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $53,502 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.1% higher at Muhlenberg College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $40,542 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 389.1% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($42,545 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF 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-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 110 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

SUNY-ESF vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $6,740 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($204 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.