Emerson vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Emerson vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Bucknell University than Emerson ($39,003 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 19.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,924 vs. $20,920).
• Bucknell University is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $10,756 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at Bucknell than at Emerson College (about $10,756 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Bucknell University (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 65.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($44,734 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 40 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Emerson vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $27,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.