Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Muhlenberg College vs Johnson College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Allentown PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Scranton PA

The verdict

Muhlenberg College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,620 in 5.6 years versus 5.8 years at Johnson College, on median earnings of $69,107 vs $55,194 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMuhlenberg CollegeJohnson College
Net price / yr$28,905$19,954
Total net cost$115,620$39,908
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,107$55,194
Median debt$25,455$12,000
Payback5.6 yrs5.8 yrs
20-year net return$299,320$96,772

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Muhlenberg College or Johnson College?

Johnson College, at $19,954 a year after aid versus $28,905 — a gap of $8,951 a year, or $75,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Muhlenberg College or Johnson College graduates earn more?

Muhlenberg College graduates report a median $69,107 ten years after entry, $13,913 more than the $55,194 at Johnson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Muhlenberg College or Johnson College?

Johnson College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $25,455 at Muhlenberg College, a difference of $13,455. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at Muhlenberg College, against 55% at Johnson College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Muhlenberg College vs Johnson College: frequently asked questions

Is Muhlenberg College or Johnson College a better value?
Muhlenberg College. It clears its $115,620 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 5.8 years at Johnson College, on median earnings of $69,107 vs $55,194 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Muhlenberg College or Johnson College?
Johnson College: $19,954/yr net price after aid versus $28,905/yr at Muhlenberg College — a difference of $8,951 a year, or about $75,712 over four years.
Do Muhlenberg College or Johnson College graduates earn more?
Muhlenberg College graduates earn a median $69,107 ten years after entry, versus $55,194 at Johnson College — a $13,913 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.