UMass vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Muhlenberg College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 1,788 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

UMass vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Muhlenberg College ($22,948 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 12.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($14,548 vs. $16,710).
• Muhlenberg College is 253.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $45,033 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.3% higher at Muhlenberg College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $22,356 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 224.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($42,545 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Muhlenberg College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Muhlenberg College and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 80 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming UMass students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 31) as students at Muhlenberg College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

UMass vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Muhlenberg College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,490 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($248 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass 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.