Babson vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Babson vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson or Bucknell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Babson College than Bucknell ($32,019 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 21.5% lower than at Babson College ($16,924 vs. $21,550).
• Bucknell University is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $10,660 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Bucknell than at Babson College (about $10,660 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Babson College (59% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($48,173 vs. $44,734).

Babson vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson or Bucknell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bucknell and Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 70 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Babson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Babson students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Babson vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson and Bucknell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $32,200 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Babson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Babson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Babson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.