Bucknell vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bucknell vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State York? 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 York than Bucknell ($18,887 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York 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 York (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 York (about $42,420 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Bucknell University (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 410.9% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($44,734 vs. $8,756).

Bucknell vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 240 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State York 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. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Bucknell vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State York? 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State York 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 York graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State York 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 York 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.