Muhlenberg College
#2 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $69,107 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $28,905 F
- 69% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $16.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,835,234.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 69% more than the national college median.
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A 81% graduation rate — 42% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Muhlenberg College Matters
Muhlenberg College is a private liberal arts college in Allentown, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,727
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Muhlenberg College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1250–1410. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,905 a year after grants and scholarships — 69% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $69,107 ten years after enrolling — 69% above the typical college, against $25,455 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 74% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.87 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,727 students and a 72% acceptance rate, Muhlenberg College is a great fit for those who thrive in a close-knit community where collaboration is key. Students here often pursue programs in Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical fields, Psychology, and Social Sciences. This variety means that whether you're drawn to the arts or sciences, there's a solid chance to explore your interests deeply.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers speak well for Muhlenberg alumni. Graduates earn an average of $69,107 within a decade of finishing their studies. This is a strong indicator of the value of a degree from this college, especially considering the supportive environment they foster. While we don't have specific mobility data, the overall outcomes suggest that students who engage fully with their education tend to find success in their careers.
Financially, the cost after aid stands at $28,905, which is manageable for many students. The median debt load of $25,455 is reasonable compared to potential earnings, making Muhlenberg an attractive option for those concerned about post-college finances. Students who tend to thrive here are those who appreciate a balance of academic rigor and community engagement, ready to immerse themselves in both their studies and campus life.
Rankings
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #6 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #12 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Muhlenberg College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Muhlenberg College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,343. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 90%
- SAT Average
- 1343
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1250–1410
- ACT Range
- 29–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,647
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 16%
- Applicants
- 4,329
- Admitted
- 2,836
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Muhlenberg College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Muhlenberg College is $62,805, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,905. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,302 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,455 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $62,805
- Out-of-State
- $62,805
- Avg Net Price
- $28,905
- Median Debt
- $25,455
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,302
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,629
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,717
- Family Income $110K+
- $37,603
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Muhlenberg College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Muhlenberg College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $69,107, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $53,265
- 8 Years
- $64,633
- 10 Years
- $69,107
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 80%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (478)
- 81%
- 100% (478)
- 81%
- 100% (478)
- 81%
- 100% (478)
- 81%
How Muhlenberg Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Muhlenberg College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Muhlenberg College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,905/year ($115,620 total). Graduates earn $69,107 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,950,854 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,835,234 (16.9× your investment). The median debt is $25,455, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $115,620
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,950,854
- Net Return
- $1,835,234
- ROI Multiple
- 16.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,905
- Median Debt
- $25,455
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Muhlenberg College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Muhlenberg College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.03%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $150,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.03%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 46.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $204,205
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,190,928
- Investment Income
- $-22,634,174
Top Programs
The fields Muhlenberg College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $77,692 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 21% $42,086 early-career
- Psychology 11% $36,992 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $25,014 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $64,928 early-career
- Communications 7% $40,753 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Physical Sciences 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Muhlenberg College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Muhlenberg College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,343. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Muhlenberg College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Muhlenberg College is $62,805, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,905. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,302 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,455 in federal student loans.
Is Muhlenberg College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $69,107, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Muhlenberg College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Muhlenberg College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.03%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $150,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Muhlenberg College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Muhlenberg College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.87, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Muhlenberg College.
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · Close peer74% grad $67,725 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $68,245 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA · Close peer72% grad $68,712 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rockhurst UniversityKansas City, MO · Close peer75% grad $67,102 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA · Close peer77% grad $62,399 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of the SouthSewanee, TN · Close peer81% grad $64,911 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Muhlenberg College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Muhlenberg College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.87, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note