Muhlenberg ROI Shines in Redesigned Carnegie Classification
New data-driven classifications by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education reinforce the return on investment of a Muhlenberg College education for students and families.By: Carey Manzolillo Wednesday, April 30, 2025 09:00 AM
-460x306.jpg)
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is located in the city of Allentown, Pa.Updated every three years, Carnegie classifications are widely regarded as a leading framework for recognizing and categorizing U.S. higher education institutions.
One of only 205 institutions classified as a "Special Focus: Arts and Sciences," Muhlenberg is characterized as "Lower Access, Higher Earnings” in the new Student Access and Earnings Classification, which evaluates institutions based on student demographics and post-graduation success. This designation, shared by only 10% of U.S. institutions, highlights the college’s exceptional track record of admitting determined students who go on to earn higher wages than peers in their job market. In addition, Muhlenberg ranks 24th among institutions in the Special Focus: Arts and Sciences classification, when measuring eight-year median earnings.
Although Carnegie’s 2025 classification reflects a three-year average of IPEDS data for academic years 2021, 2022, and 2023, Muhlenberg’s percentage of Pell-eligible students has increased steadily over the last several years from 18.8% in 2020-21 to 28.4% in 2024-25.
According to the Carnegie Classification methodology, institutions receiving the "Higher Earnings" designation demonstrate that their graduates earn at least 50% more than the median earnings of demographically similar high school graduates in the regions where students are employed. This metric is measured eight years after students enter the institution and includes all undergraduate students who received federal financial aid.
Higher education has changed significantly since the Carnegie Classifications were first introduced in 1973. This year, the organization's classifications have been revamped to better reflect the breadth of higher education in the 21st century. The former Basic Classification relied on the highest degree an institution awarded, even if that reflected only a small portion of the institution. The 2025 Institutional Classification widens the scope of the degree profile and organizes institutions into 31 groups. Within this new system, Muhlenberg is classified in one of eleven special focus areas: the Arts and Sciences, which denotes institutions that award 50% or more of their undergraduate degrees in the areas of arts and sciences.
