MHC vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

MHC vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College than Bucknell ($32,526 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 14% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($16,924 vs. $19,684).
• Bucknell University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $794 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Bucknell than at Mount Holyoke College (about $794 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Bucknell University (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($52,418 vs. $44,734).

MHC vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 70 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming MHC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

MHC vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $5,794 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($21,206 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.