TCNJ vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

TCNJ vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 The College of New Jersey than Bucknell ($25,580 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 11.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($14,976 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 245.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $48,180 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.3% higher at Bucknell than at The College of New Jersey (about $42,060 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of New Jersey as at Bucknell University (59% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 234.8% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($44,734 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 150 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

TCNJ vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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 The College of New Jersey's (87%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.