Princeton vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Princeton vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Bucknell ($15,313 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 16.4% lower than at Princeton University ($16,924 vs. $20,250).
• Bucknell University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $5,124 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Bucknell than at Princeton University (about $5,124 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Bucknell University (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 53.6% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($68,727 vs. $44,734).

Princeton vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 160 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bucknell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Princeton vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bucknell University's (91%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $37,600 more per year than Bucknell graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $76,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.