Muhlenberg College vs West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA)
Muhlenberg College and West Chester University of Pennsylvania, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Muhlenberg, a private liberal arts college, boasts a selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 67%, while West Chester, a public university, welcomes a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 80%. Muhlenberg's student body is smaller and more diverse, with 2,200 undergraduates representing over 30 countries. West Chester's larger student population of 17,000 undergraduates reflects a wider range of backgrounds and experiences. Both institutions excel in different academic areas; Muhlenberg is known for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while West Chester is renowned for its programs in business, education, and nursing. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique offerings and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Muhlenberg College |
![]() West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | Allentown, Pennsylvania | West Chester, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 67.8% | 89.4% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1200 - 1370 | 1070 - 1250 |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 34.0% | 27.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 12.0% | 1.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,118 | 14,020 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,790 | 12,528 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 450 | 2,628 |
Yield rate | 16.1% | 21.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $71,880 |
In state:
$28,419
Out of state:
$40,243
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Average net price | $30,920 | $14,133 |
Tuition | $55,095 |
In state:
$7,716
Out of state:
$19,290
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,035
Meal plan:
$5,765
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Room/dormitory:
$5,794
Meal plan:
$3,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $37,483 |
100.0%
Average amount $4,607 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
62.0%
Average amount $5,381 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,238 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $24,182 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,835 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,074
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
14,471
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
Graduate students |
21
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
3,143
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 11.4% |
International students | 1.4% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,922 | 5,128 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Maryland New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.0% | 72.8% |
Dropout rate | 17.9% | 7.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 18.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Dance (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
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