EC vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

EC vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 Elmira College than Bucknell ($23,682 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 14% lower than at Bucknell University ($14,550 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 74% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $28,836 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74% higher at Bucknell than at Elmira College (about $28,836 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 55.4% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($44,734 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 150 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

EC vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $30,300 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and EC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and EC 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 EC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 72%)

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.