Columbia vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Columbia vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Bucknell ($22,520 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 3.7% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,924 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $4,033 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Columbia than at Bucknell University (about $4,033 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (59% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 49.8% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($67,010 vs. $44,734).

Columbia vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 160 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Columbia vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $31,300 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.