The Area/Town: Muhlenberg College is about 10 minutes from downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania's third largest city (pop. 125,000). In Allentown, students will find a growing restaurant scene, cafes, and cultural venues like the Allentown Art Museum. The area is undergoing growth in the business and innovation sectors, providing internship and networking opportunities.
Muhlenberg College is also 60 miles from Philadelphia and about two hours (95 miles) from New York City–a huge plus for the college's numerous theater students. Students seeking to escape into nature don't have to travel far to find parks, trails, and the Pocono Mountains.
The Campus/Students: Muhlenberg's 82-acre, red-brick campus blends traditional (mostly gothic) charm with modern facilities. It includes a 40-acre biological field station and wildlife sanctuary, as well as a 64-acre arboretum and updated science centers. A newly constructed building, the Fehy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, has received numerous sustainability accolades, and construction is currently underway for a new building that will house the welcome and career centers, as well as the alumni connections office and event space. With approximately 2,000 undergraduates and a required four-year residential policy, students enjoy a tight-knit, inclusive community. Students are known to be friendly (very friendly!) and hard-working, and the school emphasizes a student experience centered on the philosophy of "Challenge, Support, Impact, Belong"—which comes to life in the classroom and campus culture.
Students describe the community as collaborative and deeply involved, and they often combine interests across disciplines. Faculty describe students as "hyphenated," usually pursuing multiple interests at once—think neuroscience and theater or business and public health.
Though it maintains strong ties to the Lutheran Church, Muhlenberg is welcoming to students of all (or no) faiths. Jewish life is robust (generally between 25-30% of the student population) and active on campus. Roughly 20% of students participate in Greek life, and about a third (600 students) are varsity athletes. With 22 DIII teams and tons of student organizations, there's always something happening. Muhlenberg is also known for its strong theater and dance programs—open to majors and non-majors alike. Signature campus events include fall carnival weekends, late-night events, and concerts in the rose garden.
Academics: Muhlenberg delivers a rigorous liberal arts education, anchored in close faculty relationships and strong advising. Students don't declare a major until February of sophomore year, allowing time to explore. Popular majors include political science (students even participate in national election polling), biology, business, psychology, media & communication, and the performing arts.
Pre-professional advising is a major strength—especially for pre-med and pre-law students. The college has articulation agreements with medical, dental, and other graduate programs, including a competitive 3+4 Dental program with Penn (about 200 applicants annually). Muhlenberg also offers four Honors Programs and several combined degree pathways.
Additional academic highlights:
Strong public health and neuroscience programs
Direct-entry programs for pre-health, including 3+4 Dental (requires test scores)
Academic, college life, and career coaching for every student (team coaching model)
Free tutoring and writing center support
Cost: For 2024–25, the total cost of attendance is around $78,000, but Muhlenberg is deeply committed to affordability:
98% of students receive merit aid
Generous need-based packages
Merit scholarships can be significant (up to $35,000/year)
Muhlenberg College offers a close-knit, action-oriented community where students are encouraged to blend passions across disciplines and make meaningful impact. With strong academics, impressive pre-professional outcomes, personalized support, and a welcoming, involved campus culture, Muhlenberg is a a great fit for students looking for both challenge and belonging.
Visit Muhlenberg's website to learn more and see if it’s a good fit for you.