Bard College vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Bard College vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College 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 Bard College than Bucknell ($29,320 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 10.2% lower than at Bard College ($16,924 vs. $18,852).
• Bucknell University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $1,376 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Bucknell than at Bard College (about $1,376 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Bucknell University (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($55,235 vs. $44,734).

Bard College vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College 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 Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 30 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Bard College vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College 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 Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $34,700 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.