Bucknell vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Bucknell ($23,570 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 11.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,924 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $874 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Penn than at Bucknell University (about $874 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at University of Pennsylvania (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($65,458 vs. $44,734).

Bucknell vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 150 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 68% at Penn.

Bucknell vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $47,300 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.