Bucknell vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Providence College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Providence College is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Providence College 11:1.

Bucknell vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Providence? 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 Bucknell University than Providence ($39,003 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 5.1% lower than at Providence College ($16,924 vs. $17,840).
• Bucknell University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $4,262 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Bucknell than at Providence College (about $4,262 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Bucknell University (83% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($44,734 vs. $31,873).

Bucknell vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Providence? 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 Providence and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 70 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Bucknell vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Providence College and Bucknell graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Providence College and Bucknell graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.