Bucknell vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Bucknell vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Bucknell ($18,427 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 12.6% lower than at Bucknell University ($14,800 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 211% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $46,009 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Bucknell than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $8,300 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (59% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 55.8% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($44,734 vs. $28,715).

Bucknell vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 90 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 40% at UVA.

Bucknell vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $900 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.