Lehigh vs Muhlenberg College

Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Lehigh, a research university with a larger student body, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a wider range of academic programs, including engineering and business. Muhlenberg, a liberal arts college, prides itself on its smaller class sizes and strong focus on undergraduate teaching. While both institutions offer a vibrant campus life, Lehigh's Division I athletics and larger Greek life scene may appeal to students seeking a more spirited college experience. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about the differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and make an informed decision about which college aligns best with your academic and personal aspirations.

	Lehigh University	Muhlenberg College
Overview
Location	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	Allentown, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	46.0%	67.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	$50
SAT range	1325 - 1490	1200 - 1370
ACT range	30 - 34	27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	36.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	18.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	14,107	4,118
Total number of admissions given out	6,485	2,790
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,519	450
Yield rate	23.4%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$74,865	$71,880
Average net price	$31,539	$30,920
Tuition	$56,980	$55,095
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,030 Meal plan: $6,300	Room/dormitory: $7,035 Meal plan: $5,765
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $39,972	97.0% Average amount $37,483
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $4,954	62.0% Average amount $5,381
Students taking out private loans	19.0% Average amount $12,089	7.0% Average amount $24,182

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,451 Men 54.0% Women 46.0%	2,074 Men 40.5% Women 59.5%
Graduate students	1,812 Men 53.1% Women 46.9%	21 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	13.6%	1.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,856	1,922
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Business Communication and Journalism Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.3%	82.0%
Dropout rate	12.4%	17.9%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,409 Year 2: $74,142 Year 3: $96,587 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,252 Year 2: $78,552 Year 3: $94,991 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,434 Year 2: $81,491 Year 3: $93,797 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,418 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $87,192 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,069 Year 2: $75,623 Year 3: $86,603 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,293 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $86,360 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,520 Year 2: $70,324 Year 3: $83,095 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,490 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $82,322 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,444 Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $80,631 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,497 Year 2: $69,710 Year 3: $80,502	Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,892 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $76,365 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,174 Year 2: $63,430 Year 3: $70,575 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,828 Year 2: $50,105 Year 3: $56,960 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,684 Year 2: $54,644 Year 3: $56,688 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,496 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $52,763 Dance (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,541 Year 2: $35,420 Year 3: $47,919 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,225 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: $44,789 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,411 Year 2: $31,133 Year 3: $44,431 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,407 Year 2: $34,298 Year 3: $39,267 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $19,426 Year 2: $19,749 Year 3: $24,340

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic differences between Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College?

Lehigh University is a larger, research-focused university with a strong emphasis on engineering, business, and the sciences. It offers a wider range of graduate programs and research opportunities. Muhlenberg College is a smaller, primarily undergraduate liberal arts college with a strong focus on the humanities, arts, and pre-professional programs like pre-med and pre-law. Muhlenberg emphasizes close student-faculty interaction and a more personalized learning experience.
How does the size of the student body compare at Lehigh and Muhlenberg?

Lehigh University has a significantly larger undergraduate student body, typically around 5,000 undergraduates, compared to Muhlenberg College, which has a smaller undergraduate population of approximately 2,000 students. This difference in size impacts the classroom sizes, campus community feel, and the availability of resources.
What is the campus environment like at Lehigh versus Muhlenberg?

Lehigh University's campus is known for its beautiful, hilly setting and a vibrant campus life, including a strong Greek system and Division I athletics. Muhlenberg College has a more intimate campus environment with a focus on community and a strong arts presence. The campus is more compact and walkable, fostering a close-knit atmosphere.
How do the costs of attendance compare at Lehigh and Muhlenberg?

Both Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College have similar tuition costs. However, the total cost of attendance, including room and board, books, and personal expenses, can vary. Financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly impact the net cost for each student. It's recommended to compare the net costs after financial aid offers from both institutions.
What are the strengths of Lehigh University's academic programs?

Lehigh University excels in engineering, business, and the sciences. Its College of Engineering and College of Business and Economics are particularly well-regarded. Lehigh also offers strong programs in architecture and the humanities, with a focus on research and practical application of knowledge.
What are the strengths of Muhlenberg College's academic programs?

Muhlenberg College is known for its strong liberal arts foundation, with excellent programs in the humanities, arts (especially theatre and dance), and pre-professional programs like pre-med and pre-law. The college emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and a well-rounded education.
How does the student-faculty ratio differ between Lehigh and Muhlenberg?

Muhlenberg College boasts a significantly lower student-faculty ratio, typically around 10:1, allowing for more personalized attention and closer interaction with professors. Lehigh University has a higher student-faculty ratio, around 11:1, but still offers opportunities for interaction, especially in smaller upper-level courses and research projects.
What are the career services like at Lehigh and Muhlenberg?

Both Lehigh University and Muhlenberg College offer career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Lehigh, with its larger alumni network and strong connections in engineering and business, may offer more opportunities in those fields. Muhlenberg's career services are tailored to its students' interests in the arts, humanities, and pre-professional fields, with a focus on internships and networking.
How do the campus locations and surrounding areas differ?

Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a city with a growing economy and a mix of urban and suburban environments. Muhlenberg College is also located in Bethlehem, but its campus is more integrated into a residential area. Both colleges offer access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of the Lehigh Valley, including arts, entertainment, and outdoor activities.
Which college is better for students interested in Greek life and athletics?

Lehigh University has a more prominent Greek life presence and a Division I athletic program, making it a better fit for students who prioritize these aspects of campus life. Muhlenberg College has a smaller Greek system and competes in Division III athletics, emphasizing participation and community over high-level competition.

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