Bucknell vs. WCU

Should I go to Bucknell University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bucknell or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Bucknell University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Bucknell University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Bucknell University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

 Bucknell WCU
Location Lewisburg, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,787 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #71 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bucknell.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bucknell WCU
Tuition (In State) $61,408 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $61,408 $19,290
Room & Board $15,358 $14,228
Avg Net Price $39,965 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $37,775 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 64%

Admission

 Bucknell WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,707 14,778
Admitted 3,811 12,982
Acceptance Rate 32.6% 87.8%
Enrolled % 27.1% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/33 23/30
SAT Range 1310/1470 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Bucknell WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 Bucknell WCU
Graduation Rate 91% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $76,300 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $242

Diversity

 Bucknell WCU
% Men 48% 39%
% Women 52% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 78%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 Bucknell WCU
% In-State 21% 87%
% Out-of-State 74% 12%

Campus

 Bucknell WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 3,787 students)

Bucknell vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or WCU?

  • Bucknell University is 695.9% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($61,408.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 218.3% higher at Bucknell than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($61,408.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Bucknell ($22,973 vs. $39,965)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 7.9% lower than costs at Bucknell University ($14,228 vs. $15,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Bucknell University (64% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 594% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($37,775 vs. $5,443)

Bucknell vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Bucknell .

  • The average SAT score at Bucknell University (1315) is 243 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming Bucknell students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Bucknell (32.6%)

Bucknell vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bucknell or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Bucknell.

  • The graduation rate at Bucknell is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (91% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Bucknell University earn on average $27,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($76,300 vs. $49,000)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Bucknell graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Bucknell graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/