Bucknell vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Bucknell vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon University than Bucknell ($35,552 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 6.8% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,924 vs. $18,166).
• Bucknell University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,566 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Bucknell than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,566 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Carnegie Mellon University (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($48,107 vs. $44,734).

Bucknell vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 150 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Carnegie Mellon - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Bucknell vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.