Bucknell vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 1,853 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Bucknell vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Bucknell ($21,267 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 29.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($11,930 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 80.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $30,312 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.8% higher at Bucknell than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $30,312 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 49.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($44,734 vs. $29,923).

Bucknell vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or VWC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VWC and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 140 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 30/33; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Bucknell students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Bucknell vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and VWC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $34,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and Bucknell graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University 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 VWC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 57%)

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.