Barnard vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, 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 Barnard based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Barnard vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard 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 Barnard College than Bucknell ($26,407 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 22.1% lower than at Barnard College ($16,924 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $2,076 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Barnard than at Bucknell University (about $2,076 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Barnard College (59% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 41.1% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($63,131 vs. $44,734).

Barnard vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard 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 Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 130 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Barnard students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Barnard vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($184 vs. $279).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.