Williams vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Williams vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams 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 Williams College than Bucknell ($15,894 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 1.9% lower than at Williams College ($16,924 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bucknell (about $748 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Williams than at Bucknell University (about $748 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $67,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 54.2% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($68,966 vs. $44,734).

Williams vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams 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 Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 140 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Williams 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: Williams College 1490/1570; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Williams vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($150 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.