Data Show Strong Return on Investment for Muhlenberg College Degrees
Georgetown analysis of U.S. Department of Education data shows Muhlenberg is outpacing its competition.By: Carey Manzolillo Friday, May 9, 2025 09:00 AM
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is located in the city of Allentown, Pa.New analysis of U.S. Department of Education data by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that the value of a Muhlenberg College bachelor’s degree is higher than 80% of degrees earned at any of the nation’s 4,600 public, private, non-or for-profit colleges and universities by 15 years post-graduation. And the ROI of a Muhlenberg degree rises to the top 10% when measured at the 20, 30, or 40-year mark.
Overall, the data show that institutions primarily awarding shorter-term associate degrees and certificates initially return higher earnings. But earnings from bachelor’s degree-awarding institutions rise significantly over time. After 40 years, almost all bachelor’s degree earnings surpass the lifetime earnings of those with certificates and associate’s degrees.
However, the return on investment of a Muhlenberg College degree breaks through much earlier than that of most peer institutions, outpacing 80% of all types of degrees by the 15 year post-graduation mark, and 90% of all degree types by the 20 year mark.
Because Georgetown’s study represents the average earnings for all graduates of each particular institution, it also shines a light on the value of Muhlenberg’s liberal arts education.
“This is particularly significant data for independent colleges like Muhlenberg that value rigorous liberal arts academic programs. While higher earning is often associated only with engineering or computing degrees, our graduates earn degrees in areas as varied as the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, as well as computer science, business and pre-professional programs,” said Muhlenberg Provost Laura Furge, Ph.D.
