Bucknell University vs Elon University

Bucknell University and Elon University, both highly regarded private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bucknell, nestled in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate (28%) compared to Elon's 67% in Elon, North Carolina. While Bucknell's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering close interactions between students and faculty. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors like engineering and business at Bucknell and communications and education at Elon, as well as graduation rates and student body demographics, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Elon University
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Elon, North Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	77.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1295 - 1450	N/A
ACT range	29 - 33	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	17,834
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	13,859
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	1,591
Yield rate	26.4%	11.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	$55,647
Average net price	$38,170	$40,366
Tuition	$59,474	$38,218
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $6,593 Meal plan: $6,829
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $37,752	67.0% Average amount $13,677
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	30.0% Average amount $5,259
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	7.0% Average amount $25,192

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	6,302 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	825 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	80.6%
International students	5.3%	2.0%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,394	4,192
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Connecticut Maryland	North Carolina New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Legal Profession Health Professions Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	83.3%
Dropout rate	0.6%	16.7%
Transferred out	11.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,290 Year 2: $66,147 Year 3: $82,360 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,437 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $80,333 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,748 Year 2: $69,002 Year 3: $76,198 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,343 Year 2: $49,683 Year 3: $69,149 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,231 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $68,732 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,607 Year 3: $66,842 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,041 Year 2: $55,102 Year 3: $63,698 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,358 Year 2: $49,136 Year 3: $60,608 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,507 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,352 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,905 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $55,173	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,556 Year 2: $104,061 Year 3: $105,320 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,803 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $78,720 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,320 Year 2: $60,016 Year 3: $77,567 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,276 Year 2: $54,192 Year 3: $77,220 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,564 Year 2: $62,154 Year 3: $76,604 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $68,888 Year 2: $69,629 Year 3: $70,208 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,091 Year 2: $50,022 Year 3: $64,255 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,189 Year 3: $59,817 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,293 Year 2: $36,674 Year 3: $58,053 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,055 Year 3: $55,617

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Bucknell University and Elon University?

Bucknell University emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on undergraduate research and a wide range of majors. Elon University is known for its experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research, with a particular strength in communications, business, and the arts. Bucknell has a more traditional academic structure, while Elon integrates hands-on experiences more directly into its curriculum.
How do the campus environments of Bucknell and Elon compare?

Bucknell University offers a classic, picturesque campus in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, with a strong sense of community and a focus on residential life. Elon University boasts a beautiful, modern campus in Elon, North Carolina, known for its well-maintained facilities and active social scene. Both campuses are considered safe and welcoming, but the aesthetic and social atmosphere differ, with Bucknell offering a more traditional college town feel and Elon having a more contemporary vibe.
What are the strengths of the student life experiences at Bucknell and Elon?

Bucknell provides a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics, fostering a close-knit community. Elon is renowned for its active Greek life, strong student government, and emphasis on leadership development, creating a dynamic social environment. Both universities offer a wide array of extracurricular activities, but the specific focus and culture of student life vary.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Bucknell and Elon?

Both Bucknell University and Elon University have relatively high tuition costs. However, the exact figures can fluctuate. It's recommended to check the most recent tuition and fees information on each university's official website. Financial aid packages and scholarships are available at both institutions to help offset the cost of attendance.
What are the career services and outcomes like at Bucknell and Elon?

Both universities have robust career services departments. Bucknell's career services are designed to support students in a variety of fields, leveraging its strong alumni network. Elon is particularly strong in career preparation, with a focus on internships, networking, and career counseling, especially in its signature programs. Both schools boast impressive placement rates for graduates.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity levels of Bucknell and Elon?

Both Bucknell and Elon are considered selective institutions. Admission requirements typically include a strong high school transcript, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The specific requirements and acceptance rates can vary slightly from year to year, so it's important to consult the most up-to-date information on each university's admissions website.
How do the alumni networks of Bucknell and Elon differ?

Both universities have active and engaged alumni networks. Bucknell's alumni network is known for its strong loyalty and support, particularly within specific academic departments. Elon's alumni network is highly involved in mentoring students and providing career opportunities, especially in the communications and business fields. The strength of each network can be a valuable asset for students seeking internships, jobs, and mentorship.
What are the study abroad opportunities like at Bucknell and Elon?

Elon University is particularly well-known for its extensive study abroad programs, with a high percentage of students participating. Bucknell also offers study abroad opportunities, though perhaps not to the same degree as Elon. Both universities provide resources and support for students interested in international experiences.
What is the overall 'feel' or culture of each university?

Bucknell often fosters a more traditional, academically focused environment with a strong sense of community and school spirit. Elon is known for its emphasis on experiential learning, leadership, and a more contemporary and socially active campus culture. The 'feel' of each university is subjective and depends on individual preferences, but these are general observations.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific major, such as Communications or Engineering?

Elon University is particularly strong in Communications, Business, and the Arts, offering excellent programs and resources in these areas. Bucknell has a strong reputation in Engineering and offers a wide range of other academic programs. The best choice depends on the specific major and the student's individual academic and career goals. Researching the specific programs and faculty within each department is highly recommended.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Bucknell University

University of California-Berkeley