Bucknell vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bucknell vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than Bucknell ($38,442 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 14.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,924 vs. $19,866).
• Bucknell University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $2,414 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Bucknell than at Lafayette College (about $2,414 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Bucknell University (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($44,734 vs. $44,707).

Bucknell vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 40 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Bucknell vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Lafayette 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).

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Lafayette College's (88%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.