Bucknell vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Bucknell vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($39,003 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 18.7% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($16,924 vs. $20,810).
• Bucknell University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $1,414 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Bucknell than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $1,414 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($44,734 vs. $43,290).

Bucknell vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Olin College? 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 Olin College and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 140 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Bucknell vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $12,290 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($14,710 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($152 vs. $279).

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.