Bucknell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre than Bucknell ($16,621 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 9.7% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,274 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 374.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $53,532 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.5% higher at Bucknell than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $43,806 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at Bucknell University (89% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 359.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($44,734 vs. $9,742).

Bucknell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 180 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• 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 Wilkes-Barre - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Bucknell vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes Barre graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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.