Bucknell vs. Swarthmore

Bucknell University and Swarthmore College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bucknell University
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 28.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $39,003 at Bucknell.
  • Graduation: Bucknell 91% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bucknell $76,300 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Bucknell University Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Bucknell28.9%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Bucknell1310-1470
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $16,534 less
Bucknell$39,003
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,318 less
Bucknell$67,812
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,318 less
Bucknell$67,812
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +4 pts
Bucknell91%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$10,500
Bucknell$76,300
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bucknell 31
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bucknell A-
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bucknell High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bucknell $279
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bucknell #71
  • Swarthmore #40

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Bucknell than at Swarthmore College (about $2,318 more per year; $67,812 vs. $65,494).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Swarthmore than at Bucknell (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bucknell and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bucknell Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Bucknell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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