Colgate vs. Bucknell

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

Colgate University
Bucknell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 28.9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $39,003 at Bucknell.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Bucknell 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Bucknell $76,300 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Bucknell University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Bucknell28.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Bucknell1310-1470
Average net price
Colgate $10,267 less
Colgate$28,736
Bucknell$39,003
In-state tuition
Bucknell $2,494 less
Colgate$70,306
Bucknell$67,812
Out-of-state tuition
Bucknell $2,494 less
Colgate$70,306
Bucknell$67,812
Graduation rate
Colgate +1 pts
Colgate92%
Bucknell91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$1,000
Colgate$75,300
Bucknell$76,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Bucknell 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Bucknell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Bucknell High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Bucknell $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Bucknell #71

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bucknell University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 3.9% lower than at Colgate University ($16,924 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Colgate than at Bucknell University (about $2,494 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,812).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Colgate University (59% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($58,334 vs. $44,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Colgate than at Bucknell (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Bucknell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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