Bucknell vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington than Bucknell ($19,504 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 9.7% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,274 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 370.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $53,404 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181% higher at Bucknell than at Penn State New Kensington (about $43,678 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Bucknell University (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 472.9% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($44,734 vs. $7,809).

Bucknell vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 200 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn State New Kensington - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Bucknell vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State New Kensington graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.