Williams vs. Bucknell

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

Williams College
Bucknell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 28.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $39,003 at Bucknell.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Bucknell 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Bucknell $76,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Williams College Bucknell University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Bucknell28.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Bucknell1310-1470
Average net price
Williams $23,109 less
Williams$15,894
Bucknell$39,003
In-state tuition
Bucknell $748 less
Williams$68,560
Bucknell$67,812
Out-of-state tuition
Bucknell $748 less
Williams$68,560
Bucknell$67,812
Graduation rate
Williams +4 pts
Williams95%
Bucknell91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$2,700
Williams$73,600
Bucknell$76,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Williams and Bucknell with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Williams Check my chances at Bucknell
  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Bucknell 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Bucknell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Bucknell High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Bucknell $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Bucknell #71

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 1.9% lower than at Williams College ($16,924 vs. $17,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Williams than at Bucknell University (about $748 more per year; $68,560 vs. $67,812).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bucknell University than at Williams College (59% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 54.2% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($68,966 vs. $44,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Williams than at Bucknell (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Bucknell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($150 vs. $279).
  • More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Williams College
Bucknell University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges