Bucknell vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg than Bucknell ($23,788 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (about $40,854 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at Bucknell University (63% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 383.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($44,734 vs. $9,245).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 170 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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.