Muhlenberg College
Muhlenberg College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Muhlenberg College at a Glance
Muhlenberg College is a private liberal arts college in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is named for Henry Muhlenberg, the German patriarch of Lutheranism in the United States.
1848
178 years old
$325M
$324.5 million (2024)
2,225
2,225 undergrad
171
51 acres
Identity
Is Muhlenberg College Worth It?
Muhlenberg College offers moderate value at $28,905/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $69,107, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Muhlenberg College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #7 of 69 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Manhattan University | 51 | $27,256 | $86,316 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #7 | Muhlenberg College | 49 | $28,905 | $69,107 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Muhlenberg College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in PA.
Best Programs at Muhlenberg College
The highest-earning program at Muhlenberg College is Finance and Financial Management Services at $60,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Muhlenberg College earns $60,200, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,905/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $60,200 | $60,200 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,000 | $60,000 | $26,697 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,000 | $47,000 | $23,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $26,999 |
| Psychology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $23,265 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,300 | $17,300 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Allentown, PA
- Student Body
- 1,727 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,905
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $69,107
- Median Student Debt
- $25,455