Williams vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Williams College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Williams vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams 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 Williams College than Muhlenberg College ($15,894 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 15.7% lower than at Williams College ($14,548 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $5,755 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Williams than at Muhlenberg College (about $5,755 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Williams College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($68,966 vs. $42,545).

Williams vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams 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 Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 200 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Muhlenberg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams 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 Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Williams vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $11,908 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($14,582 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($150 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.