Bucknell vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bucknell vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Berks? 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 Berks than Bucknell ($23,721 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks 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 Berks (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 Berks (about $40,854 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Berks than at Bucknell University (69% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 375.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($44,734 vs. $9,405).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Penn State Berks? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Berks and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 210 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Bucknell students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Berks? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Berks 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 Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks 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 Berks 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.