Bucknell vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Bucknell ($19,066 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 9.7% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,274 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 345.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $52,604 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.1% higher at Bucknell than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $42,420 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at Bucknell University (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 393.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($44,734 vs. $9,065).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 160 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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