Bucknell vs. SMU

Bucknell University and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bucknell University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bucknell (28.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bucknell. Average net price is $39,003 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Bucknell 91% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bucknell $76,300 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Bucknell University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Bucknell more selective
Bucknell28.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Bucknell1310-1470
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Bucknell $9,176 less
Bucknell$39,003
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $772 less
Bucknell$67,812
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $772 less
Bucknell$67,812
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Bucknell +16 pts
Bucknell91%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$3,300
Bucknell$76,300
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bucknell 1390
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bucknell 31
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bucknell A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bucknell Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bucknell High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bucknell 59%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bucknell 91%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bucknell 89%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bucknell $279
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bucknell #71
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,969 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 11.2% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($16,924 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Bucknell than at Southern Methodist University (about $772 more per year; $67,812 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Bucknell University (67% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($44,734 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at SMU than at Bucknell (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bucknell and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SMU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 76%).

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

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