Bucknell vs. Mason

Deciding between Bucknell University and George Mason University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bucknell University
George Mason University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Enrollment
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bucknell #71
  • Mason #243
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bucknell -
  • Mason -
  • Status
  • Bucknell Non-profit
  • Mason Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bucknell
  • Mason

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & Board
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average Net Price
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • Mason $12,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Mason 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bucknell 31
  • Mason 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bucknell B+
  • Mason B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bucknell High
  • Mason
  • ACT Range
  • Bucknell 30/33
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Bucknell 1310/1470
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bucknell Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Mason Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bucknell $279
  • Mason $204

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bucknell 1%
  • Mason 12%
  • % Women
  • Bucknell 1%
  • Mason 16%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bucknell Low
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Bucknell No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Bucknell 77%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Bucknell 4%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Bucknell 3%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bucknell 6%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Bucknell 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bucknell 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bucknell 4%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Bucknell 5%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bucknell 0%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bucknell 19%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bucknell 77%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bucknell Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bucknell Yes
  • Mason No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bucknell Yes
  • Mason Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bucknell No
  • Mason No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bucknell No
  • Mason Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Bucknell vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Mason? 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 George Mason University than Bucknell ($18,823 vs. $39,003).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 7.1% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,725 vs. $16,924).
  • Bucknell University is 376.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $53,592 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at Bucknell than at George Mason University (about $29,124 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Mason University than at Bucknell University (71% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 248.1% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($44,734 vs. $12,852).

Bucknell vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 130 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Bucknell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Mason - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Bucknell vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Mason? 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 George Mason University's (64%).
  • Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($204 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 73%)

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.