IIT vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

IIT vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Bucknell ($24,796 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 2.5% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($16,924 vs. $17,356).
• Bucknell University is 29.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $15,426 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at Bucknell than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $15,426 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students ($44,734 vs. $44,547).

IIT vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 80 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

IIT vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and IIT graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and IIT 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 IIT students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.