St Olaf vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

St Olaf vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf 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 St Olaf College than Bucknell ($26,756 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($13,630 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,052 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Bucknell than at St Olaf College (about $8,052 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($45,098 vs. $44,734).

St Olaf vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf 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 St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is the same as at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

St Olaf vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf 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 St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and St Olaf graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.