Amherst vs. Bucknell

Amherst College and Bucknell University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Bucknell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 28.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $39,003 at Bucknell.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Bucknell 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Bucknell $76,300 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Bucknell University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Bucknell28.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Bucknell1310-1470
Average net price
Amherst $19,954 less
Amherst$19,049
Bucknell$39,003
In-state tuition
Bucknell $2,668 less
Amherst$70,480
Bucknell$67,812
Out-of-state tuition
Bucknell $2,668 less
Amherst$70,480
Bucknell$67,812
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Amherst96%
Bucknell91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$5,700
Amherst$82,000
Bucknell$76,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Bucknell 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Bucknell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Bucknell High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Bucknell $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Bucknell #71

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 8% lower than at Amherst College ($16,924 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Amherst than at Bucknell University (about $2,668 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,812).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College as at Bucknell University (59% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($68,591 vs. $44,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Amherst than at Bucknell (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Bucknell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($134 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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