Rutgers vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ with Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Rutgers vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than Muhlenberg College ($20,522 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 7.4% lower than at Rutgers University New Brunswick ($14,548 vs. $15,714).
• Muhlenberg College is 250.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $44,876 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.7% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $25,364 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (99% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($42,545 vs. $16,742).

Rutgers vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 80 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Rutgers).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Muhlenberg College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Rutgers vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers 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).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick's (77%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $4,275 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($229 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 68%)

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.