Bucknell vs. Mason

Should I go to Bucknell University or George Mason University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bucknell or Mason is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bucknell University vs. George Mason University comparison
Bucknell University George Mason University College 3 College 4
Bucknell University George Mason University
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Overview

Bucknell Mason
Location Lewisburg, PA Fairfax, VA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,787 39,049
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #71 #228
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bucknell.edu gmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bucknell Mason
Tuition (In State) $61,408 $9,795
Tuition (Out of State) $61,408 $35,377
Room & Board $15,358 $13,120
Avg Net Price $39,965 $18,479
Avg Grant Aid $37,775 $10,760
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 74%

Admission

Bucknell Mason
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,707 20,001
Admitted 3,811 18,001
Acceptance Rate 32.6% 90%
Enrolled % 27.1% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/33 25/31
SAT Range 1310/1470 1140/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Bucknell Mason
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • English and Literature (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Bucknell Mason
Graduation Rate 91% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $76,300 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $279 $204

Diversity

Bucknell Mason
% Men 48% 48%
% Women 52% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 43%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

Bucknell Mason
% In-State 21% 77%
% Out-of-State 74% 17%

Campus

Bucknell Mason
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • George Mason University is larger than than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (39,049 students vs. 3,787 students)

Bucknell vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Mason?

  • Bucknell University is 526.9% more expensive to attend than Mason for in-state tuition ($61,408.00 vs. $9,795.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73.6% higher at Bucknell than George Mason University ($61,408.00 vs. $35,377.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at George Mason University than Bucknell ($18,479 vs. $39,965)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 17.1% lower than costs at Bucknell University ($13,120 vs. $15,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Mason University than Bucknell University (74% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 251.1% larger than aid received George Mason University ($37,775 vs. $10,760)

Bucknell vs. Mason Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Mason? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mason or Bucknell .

  • The average SAT score at Bucknell University (1315) is 162 points higher than at Mason (1153)
  • Incoming Bucknell students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at Mason (26)
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Bucknell (3.62)
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Bucknell (32.6%)

Bucknell vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bucknell or Mason? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mason and Bucknell.

  • The graduation rate at Bucknell is higher than George Mason University (91% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Bucknell University earn on average $14,400 more per year than Mason graduates after ten years. ($76,300 vs. $61,900)
  • George Mason University students graduate with a $7,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Bucknell graduates. ($19,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Mason graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than Bucknell graduates. ($204 vs. $279)
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/