Bucknell vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; William & Mary 12:1.

Bucknell vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary than Bucknell ($19,686 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 4.4% lower than at Bucknell University ($16,182 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 161.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $41,898 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.9% higher at Bucknell than at William & Mary (about $16,774 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $51,038.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at William & Mary (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 93.3% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($44,734 vs. $23,144).

Bucknell vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 80 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming William & Mary 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: Bucknell University 1310/1470; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• William & Mary has a higher acceptance rate (34.1%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

Bucknell vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and William & Mary? 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).

• The graduation rate at Bucknell is the same as at William & Mary (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than William & Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $68,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William & Mary students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.