Bucknell vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona than Bucknell ($21,618 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 14.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($14,474 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 324.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $51,840 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.5% higher at Bucknell than at Penn State Altoona (about $40,854 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Bucknell University (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 303.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($44,734 vs. $11,088).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 210 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.