Emerson vs. Muhlenberg College

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

Emerson College
Muhlenberg College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Muhlenberg College. Average net price is $34,739 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Muhlenberg College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Muhlenberg College $63,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Emerson College Muhlenberg College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Muhlenberg College72%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Muhlenberg College1250-1410
Average net price
Muhlenberg College $18,693 less
Emerson$53,432
Muhlenberg College$34,739
In-state tuition
Emerson $5,749 less
Emerson$57,056
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $5,749 less
Emerson$57,056
Muhlenberg College$62,805
Graduation rate
Muhlenberg College +5 pts
Emerson81%
Muhlenberg College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Muhlenberg College +$14,500
Emerson$49,200
Muhlenberg College$63,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Emerson and Muhlenberg College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Emerson Check my chances at Muhlenberg College
  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Muhlenberg College 4,963
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Muhlenberg College 3,573
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Muhlenberg College 72%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Muhlenberg College 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Muhlenberg College 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Muhlenberg College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Muhlenberg College 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Muhlenberg College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Muhlenberg College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Muhlenberg College Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Muhlenberg College 1250-1410
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Muhlenberg College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Muhlenberg College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Muhlenberg College $62,805
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Muhlenberg College $14,548
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Muhlenberg College $34,739
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Muhlenberg College $42,545
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Muhlenberg College 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Muhlenberg College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Muhlenberg College $63,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Muhlenberg College 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Muhlenberg College $26,490
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Muhlenberg College $273
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Muhlenberg College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Muhlenberg College
    • Business (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Muhlenberg College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Muhlenberg College 1,788
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Muhlenberg College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Muhlenberg College #96

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 30.5% lower than at Emerson College ($14,548 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Emerson College (about $5,749 more per year; $62,805 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($42,545 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Muhlenberg College than at Emerson (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Muhlenberg College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,490).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($242 vs. $273).
  • More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 80%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Emerson College
Muhlenberg College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges