Vassar vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, 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 Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vassar College 7:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Vassar vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar 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 Vassar College than Bucknell ($29,981 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 7.2% lower than at Vassar College ($16,924 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $3,218 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Vassar than at Bucknell University (about $3,218 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Vassar College (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($57,443 vs. $44,734).

Vassar vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar 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 Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 110 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 1450/1550; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Vassar vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar 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).

• The graduation rate at Vassar is the same as at Bucknell University (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,220 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($163 vs. $279).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.