Emerson vs. Bucknell

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

Emerson College
Bucknell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bucknell (28.9% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bucknell. Average net price is $39,003 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Bucknell 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Bucknell $76,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Bucknell University
Acceptance rate
Bucknell more selective
Emerson51.3%
Bucknell28.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bucknell higher
Emerson1270-1420
Bucknell1310-1470
Average net price
Bucknell $14,429 less
Emerson$53,432
Bucknell$39,003
In-state tuition
Emerson $10,756 less
Emerson$57,056
Bucknell$67,812
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $10,756 less
Emerson$57,056
Bucknell$67,812
Graduation rate
Bucknell +10 pts
Emerson81%
Bucknell91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$27,100
Emerson$49,200
Bucknell$76,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Bucknell 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Bucknell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Bucknell High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Bucknell $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Bucknell #71

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,969 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 19.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,924 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at Bucknell than at Emerson College (about $10,756 more per year; $67,812 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Bucknell University (77% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 65.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($44,734 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bucknell than at Emerson (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Bucknell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

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

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