MIT vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

MIT vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Bucknell? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Bucknell ($20,996 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 16.5% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($16,924 vs. $20,280).
• Bucknell University is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $5,416 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Bucknell than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $5,416 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology as at Bucknell University (59% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 38% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($61,734 vs. $44,734).

MIT vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or Bucknell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bucknell and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 160 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming MIT students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

MIT vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Bucknell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $65,800 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $9,684 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($17,316 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($179 vs. $279).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.