Wake Forest vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Wake Forest vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University than Bucknell ($24,401 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 8.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,924 vs. $18,494).
• Bucknell University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $170 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Bucknell than at Wake Forest University (about $170 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Wake Forest University (59% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 41.1% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($63,117 vs. $44,734).

Wake Forest vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 80 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Wake Forest vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.