Amherst vs. Muhlenberg College

Amherst College and Muhlenberg College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Muhlenberg College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $34,739 at Muhlenberg College.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Muhlenberg College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Muhlenberg College $63,700 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Muhlenberg College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Muhlenberg College72%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Muhlenberg College1250-1410
Average net price
Amherst $15,690 less
Amherst$19,049
Muhlenberg College$34,739
In-state tuition
Muhlenberg College $7,675 less
Amherst$70,480
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Out-of-state tuition
Muhlenberg College $7,675 less
Amherst$70,480
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Graduation rate
Amherst +10 pts
Amherst96%
Muhlenberg College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$18,300
Amherst$82,000
Muhlenberg College$63,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Muhlenberg College 4,963
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Muhlenberg College 3,573
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Muhlenberg College 72%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Muhlenberg College 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Muhlenberg College 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Muhlenberg College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Muhlenberg College 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Muhlenberg College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Muhlenberg College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Muhlenberg College 1250-1410
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Muhlenberg College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Muhlenberg College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Muhlenberg College $14,548
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Muhlenberg College $34,739
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Muhlenberg College $42,545
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Muhlenberg College 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Muhlenberg College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Muhlenberg College $63,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Muhlenberg College 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Muhlenberg College $26,490
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Muhlenberg College $273
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Muhlenberg College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Muhlenberg College
    • Business (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Muhlenberg College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Muhlenberg College 1,788
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Muhlenberg College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Muhlenberg College #96

Comparable Facts

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

Amherst College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 20.9% lower than at Amherst College ($14,548 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Amherst than at Muhlenberg College (about $7,675 more per year; $70,480 vs. $62,805).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($68,591 vs. $42,545).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Amherst than at Muhlenberg College (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Muhlenberg College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,515 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,490).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($134 vs. $273).
  • More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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