TCNJ vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

TCNJ vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 The College of New Jersey than Muhlenberg College ($25,580 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 2.9% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($14,548 vs. $14,976).
• Muhlenberg College is 219.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $43,173 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.9% higher at Muhlenberg College than at The College of New Jersey (about $37,053 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at The College of New Jersey (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 218.5% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($42,545 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 90 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

TCNJ vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,240 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($240 vs. $273).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.