Barnard vs. Muhlenberg College

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

Barnard College
Muhlenberg College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $34,739 at Muhlenberg College.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Muhlenberg College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Muhlenberg College $63,700 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Muhlenberg College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
Muhlenberg College72%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
Muhlenberg College1250-1410
Average net price
Barnard $8,332 less
Barnard$26,407
Muhlenberg College$34,739
In-state tuition
Muhlenberg College $7,083 less
Barnard$69,888
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Out-of-state tuition
Muhlenberg College $7,083 less
Barnard$69,888
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Graduation rate
Barnard +6 pts
Barnard92%
Muhlenberg College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$3,200
Barnard$66,900
Muhlenberg College$63,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Muhlenberg College 4,963
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Muhlenberg College 3,573
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Muhlenberg College 72%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Muhlenberg College 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Muhlenberg College 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Muhlenberg College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Muhlenberg College 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Muhlenberg College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Muhlenberg College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Muhlenberg College 1250-1410
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Muhlenberg College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Muhlenberg College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Muhlenberg College $14,548
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Muhlenberg College $34,739
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Muhlenberg College $42,545
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Muhlenberg College 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Muhlenberg College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Muhlenberg College $63,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Muhlenberg College 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Muhlenberg College $26,490
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Muhlenberg College $273
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Muhlenberg College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Muhlenberg College
    • Business (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Muhlenberg College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Muhlenberg College 1,788
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Muhlenberg College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Muhlenberg College #96

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 33% lower than at Barnard College ($14,548 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Barnard than at Muhlenberg College (about $7,083 more per year; $69,888 vs. $62,805).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Barnard College (99% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($63,131 vs. $42,545).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Barnard than at Muhlenberg College (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Muhlenberg College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $8,643 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($17,847 vs. $26,490).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($184 vs. $273).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Muhlenberg College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 84%).

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

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