Union College vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Union College vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College 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 Union College ($39,003 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 0.5% lower than at Union College ($16,924 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $1,227 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Union College than at Bucknell University (about $1,227 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Bucknell University (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Union College students ($44,734 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union College 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 Union College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 10 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Union College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Bucknell (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bucknell students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Union College vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union College 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and Union College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and Union College 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 Union College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.