Bucknell vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College than Bucknell ($23,764 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Erie Behrend College 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 Erie-Behrend College (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 Erie Behrend College (about $40,854 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Erie Behrend College than at Bucknell University (76% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 315.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($44,734 vs. $10,760).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 170 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Penn State Erie-Behrend College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Erie-Behrend 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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 Erie Behrend College graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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 Erie-Behrend College 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.