Elms College vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Our Lady of the Elms is located in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Elms College vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Bucknell? 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Bucknell ($19,870 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 7.8% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,605 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 56.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $24,487 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.5% higher at Bucknell than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $24,487 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 32.4% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($44,734 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 150 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Elms College vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Bucknell? 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $30,000 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 61%)

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.