Bentley vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Bentley vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Bucknell University than Bentley ($39,003 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 16% lower than at Bentley University ($16,924 vs. $20,140).
• Bucknell University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $6,812 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Bucknell than at Bentley University (about $6,812 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Bucknell University (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($44,734 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley 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 Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 30 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Bentley vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley 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 Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.