Chiming in late. We toured Muhlenberg and dc loved it. Campus is lovely, and the surrounding area has a few nice restaurants, plus there is a free bus to get to downtown Allentown and other towns and shopping areas all around the valley. The students and professors we encountered were welcoming and warm.

OP here: thank you to everyone who shared their children's experience with the school, this has been very helpful. We will go visit when the time comes, but I am glad to hear that there are many positive reactions to the school if not to the town!

My child was accepted ED to Muhlenberg. Loved it since day 1. We both think there will be enough going on to keep busy. The city itself wasn’t such a concern. It’s not perfect because no school is but it’s the best fit for my child. If your student wants an exciting city or a very hip area this is not going to be the school for you. All the factors have different weights for different families.

Anonymous wrote:DC was just accepted. DC is a very strong straight-A student at a magnet DCPS and is still applying RD to more competitive schools. But I was curious about what the school is like if anyone has recent experience there. TIA

Here is a thread discussing Lehigh Valley PA colleges and universities :
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1198517.page#27265368
Many from outside the L Valley may have heard of Lehigh University (research university phD programs etc.). There are other smaller colleges/universities around there too: 2Ls and 2Ms: Lehigh and Lafayette, Muhlenburg and Moravian.