Dartmouth vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dartmouth College is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dartmouth College 7:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Dartmouth vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth College than Bucknell ($20,322 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 15.4% lower than at Dartmouth College ($16,924 vs. $19,999).
• Dartmouth College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $456 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Dartmouth than at Bucknell University (about $456 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Dartmouth College (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($67,471 vs. $44,734).

Dartmouth vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 150 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Dartmouth 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: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 33/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Dartmouth vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth 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).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $27,700 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $13,539 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($13,461 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($139 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.