UMBC vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

UMBC vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC 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 University of Maryland Baltimore County than Bucknell ($18,770 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 10.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($15,146 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 411.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $54,556 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.8% higher at Bucknell than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $36,537 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Bucknell University (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 338.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($44,734 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC 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 UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 60 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Bucknell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

UMBC vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC 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).

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,803 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 67%)

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.