Oberlin vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Oberlin vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin 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 Oberlin ($39,003 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 13.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,924 vs. $19,510).
• Bucknell University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $446 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Bucknell than at Oberlin College (about $446 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Bucknell University (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 25% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($44,734 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin 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 Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 50 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Oberlin vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $32,400 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.