Columbia vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Columbia vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Muhlenberg College ($22,520 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 17.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($14,548 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Muhlenberg College (about $9,040 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.4% higher at Columbia than at Muhlenberg College (about $9,040 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,805.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 57.5% larger than aid received by Muhlenberg College students ($67,010 vs. $42,545).

Columbia vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 220 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Columbia vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Muhlenberg College's (86%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $43,900 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($222 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 76%)

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.