Howard vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,969 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Howard vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard University than Bucknell ($33,368 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 2.3% lower than at Howard University ($16,924 vs. $17,322).
• Bucknell University is 89.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $32,002 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.4% higher at Bucknell than at Howard University (about $32,002 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Bucknell University (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 110.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($44,734 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Bucknell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bucknell and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 180 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Howard has a higher acceptance rate (41.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Howard vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Bucknell? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and Howard 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 Howard students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 33%)

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.