Bucknell vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver than Bucknell ($18,581 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 14.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($14,474 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 370.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $53,404 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181% higher at Bucknell than at Penn State Beaver (about $43,678 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Beaver than at Bucknell University (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 394.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($44,734 vs. $9,045).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 200 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver 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.