Muhlenberg College (MC)

Muhlenberg College is a liberal arts institution with an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,900 students located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, about 55 miles north of Philadelphia. Muhlenberg challenges and supports students as they journey from exploration to experience to expertise. The college's innovative curriculum integrates a liberal arts education with required hands–on experiences like research, internships, and study abroad that build the skills and capacities necessary to make an impact in our increasingly complex world.

The core of a Muhlenberg education is built on content areas that span disciplines, allowing students' curiosity and creativity to take the lead. Muhlenberg offers over 40 majors and 38 minors, including a range of career–oriented majors such as accounting, business administration, media & communication, public health, and more. The college is known for its strong preprofessional programs in prehealth, predental, and prelaw as well as its renowned theatre and dance programs. Academic partnerships with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, American University and Boston University provide pathways to advanced degrees in medical professions, law, business, and public health.

Each first—year student has a personalized coaching team — a college life coach, a career coach, and a faculty advisor — to provide guidance and foster a sense of belonging as they adjust to life at Muhlenberg.

Muhlenberg has a student population of nearly 2,000 from across the country and the world. On Muhlenberg's residential campus, students develop new and enduring friendships. A dedicated team of residential professional and student staff coach students as they build resilience and connections away from home and find a sense of belonging.

Muhlenberg offers a diverse, dynamic community: 22 percent of the Muhlenberg Class of 2028 are first-generation students, and about 33 percent of the class identify as students of color.

Muhlenberg's residential campus offers everything you'd expect from a top-tier college: 120+ student clubs and organizations (including thriving Greek organizations and affinity groups), 23 NCAA Division III varsity teams, countless student leadership positions and a vibrant performing arts scene. From advocacy to performance, from academic groups to special interest clubs, Muhlenberg offers a community for each student — and the support to create new groups to explore untapped passions.

Students at Muhlenberg College are described as extremely “hardworking” and “friendly.” A French and education double-major explains, “Most people are involved with many different aspects of campus life, and these aspects tend not to be ‘cliquey’ because of the crossover. For example, there are many football players who are members of a cappella groups or who take dance.” Importantly, we’re also told that “being nice is kind of important” at Muhlenberg. An English major somewhat sarcastically qualifies, “If someone doesn’t hold the door open for the person behind them, they’re basically made to wear a scarlet letter and deemed a pariah.” The overall demographics have been changing over the last several years, but some students still describe a number of their peers as “white, uppermiddle class, [and] from New Jersey.” That said, students agree that there’s no one fixed type; in fact: “There is a place for everyone on campus. We have a huge theater program, yet almost 30 percent of our school participates in athletics, so you can see there are all extremes and everything in between.”

It's quite easy to lead a full and fulfilling life at Muhlenberg. To begin with, the "school offers tons of free activities over the weekends, from movie showings to Stuff-A-Plush." Undergrads here also love the college's strong performing arts scene. Indeed, "a cappella groups are very popular at Muhlenberg." Additionally, given "the large theater department," it's virtually guaranteed that "there's always a show in production." Sports are equally popular: "football and basketball games have good attendance records." While there's a modest amount of drinking, the college doesn't have a crazy party scene. As a biology major shares, "There's a few bars and clubs in the area that offer college nights on Thursdays, which is fun. From time to time, the school hosts theme parties "like flapperera zombies or a speakeasy (with a live jazz band!)" as well. Lastly, undergrads enjoy Allentown's public parks which provide "great areas to hike, explore, bird-watch, read or take a jog." And they periodically capitalize on Muhlenberg's relatively close proximity to both Philadelphia and New York.

Muhlenberg College’s Career Center helps students explore academic majors and clarify career goals. Beginning in their first semester, students collaborate with a career coach to create a Muhlenberg Action Plan (MAP)—a dynamic roadmap that helps them identify strengths, explore interests, and understand how their liberal arts education connects to career success. One-on-one career coaching continues throughout a student’s time at Muhlenberg and even after graduation, ensuring ongoing guidance. The Career Center emphasizes experiential learning through its externship program, internship placements, and other hands-on opportunities that build industry-relevant experience. The Externship Program, for instance, allows students to shadow alumni and professionals in various fields over academic breaks, while internships provide hands-on experience across diverse industries. These experiences help students build networks, deepen industry knowledge, and gain competitive skills. One of the benefits of the school’s “tight-knit community” is its “great connections for employment and post-undergrad education,” with one student adding that there is also a “great alumni network for finding internships/jobs.” Muhlenberg provides individualized coaching, immersive experiences, strategic planning, and “great programs that will help students pursue their career.” According to PayScale.com, 50 percent of Muhlenberg alums report that they derive a high level of meaning from their careers, and graduates earn a median early-career salary of $67,500, with 20 percent entering STEM fields.