Wellesley vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Bucknell ($22,174 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 19.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($16,924 vs. $21,024).
• Bucknell University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $636 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Bucknell than at Wellesley College (about $636 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Wellesley College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 43.3% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($64,116 vs. $44,734).

Wellesley vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 120 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Wellesley vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($92 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley 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.