Bucknell vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Scranton is in Dunmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Scranton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Scranton 11:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton than Bucknell ($17,536 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton (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 Scranton (about $42,420 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Scranton than at Bucknell University (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 343.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($44,734 vs. $10,089).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 200 points higher than at Penn State Scranton (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Scranton 1100/1270.
• 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 Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton 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.