Bucknell vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bucknell University 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Bucknell vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bucknell or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Bucknell ($22,469 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 16.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,924 vs. $20,308).
• Bucknell University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,318 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Bucknell than at Swarthmore College (about $2,318 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($61,634 vs. $44,734).

Bucknell vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bucknell or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Bucknell.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 140 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 1310/1470; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bucknell University 30/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bucknell - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Bucknell vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bucknell and Swarthmore? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.