Acceptance Rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1410
75th percentile
“Nestled in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, Muhlenberg College blends rigorous liberal arts with standout theater and pre-med programs, fostering tight-knit ambition in a surprisingly artsy midsize city.”
Allentown, PA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Muhlenberg traces its roots to 1848, when Lutheran leaders in Allentown founded it to educate clergy and laymen, naming it after Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the 'patriarch of American Lutheranism' who delivered the colonies' first Lutheran sermon in 1742. From its origins as an all-male outpost amid steel-mill smokestacks, it evolved into a co-ed liberal arts powerhouse by the mid-20th century, retaining a nondenominational spirit that emphasizes ethical inquiry and community service. You'll thrive here if you're collaborative and creatively driven—think the student who geeks out over neuroscience labs or late-night improv rehearsals—but it might feel stifling if you crave big-city buzz or cutthroat competition; the small size (just 2,200 undergrads) means everyone knows your business, and Allentown's gritty revitalization offers SteelStacks arts venues but lacks Philly's pulse (an hour-long drive away). Tradeoffs include a homogeneous vibe (mostly East Coast whites from middle-class families) and winters that bury the pretty campus under snow.
Photo Gallery
+36
+28
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Muhlenberg's intimate classrooms, where the 8:1 student-faculty ratio translates to seminars capped at 18, professors ditch lectures for Socratic grilling and hands-on projects—you'll dissect frog brains in neuroscience or stage original plays in the state-of-the-art Mertz Hall. The theater and dance programs punch way above their weight, rivaling conservatories with alumni on Broadway and professional residencies, while pre-med tracks boast med-school acceptance rates topping 75% thanks to undergrad research in biology labs. Accounting and public health majors draw Lehigh Valley employers early, but don't expect massive research funding or niche majors like aerospace; the intellectual culture rewards curious generalists over hyper-specialized grinders, though some lament limited course variety compared to nearby Lehigh University.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,737 undergrad • 51 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
72%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
11%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
9%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Allentown, PA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week kicks off with Monday morning yoga in the redone Life Sports Center, segues to Thursday improv shows at the Studio Theatre, and wraps with Friday tailgates before Mule football games—where the stubborn mascot nods to a 1927 gridiron upset. Campus hums with 100+ clubs, from a cappella Clef Hangers to Model UN, and 35% Greek involvement fuels parties without dominating; 90% of students cram into 19 residence halls clustered in quads fostering house-pride rivalries. The vibe stays welcoming and low-drama, with traditions like Muelpalooza homecoming and weekly coffeehouse open mics, but weekends can drag if you skip Philly road trips, and Allentown's occasional urban edge (think nearby crime stats) tempers the fairy-tale quad. PA's humid summers and brutal winters test your resolve.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Centennial Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$12,756
$30K – $48K
$14,819
$48K – $75K
$18,668
$75K – $110K
$23,916
$110K+
$34,928
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
90%
4 Years Graduation Rate
76%
6 Years Graduation Rate
80%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$69,107
90% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Muhlenberg College and return in the fall. 76% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 80% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
76%
4-5 years
4%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
19%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$57,270
Acceptance
72%
Undergrads
1,737
4-Year Grad Rate
76%
Endowment
$204M
Allentown, PA 18104