UMass vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 3,969 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

UMass vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Bucknell ($22,948 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 1.3% lower than at Bucknell University ($16,710 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 281.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $50,040 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.6% higher at Bucknell than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $27,363 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Bucknell University (81% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 241.2% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($44,734 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Bucknell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bucknell and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 20 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming UMass students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 31) as students at Bucknell (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

UMass vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Bucknell? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.