William & Mary (W&M) vs Bucknell University

William & Mary and Bucknell University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. William & Mary, nestled in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, boasts a lower acceptance rate (33%) compared to Bucknell's (36%). With a larger student body, William & Mary fosters a diverse community, while Bucknell's smaller size cultivates a close-knit atmosphere. While both universities excel in liberal arts and sciences, William & Mary is known for its strong government and public policy programs, while Bucknell emphasizes engineering and management. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, popular majors, and student demographics, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	William & Mary
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Williamsburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	36.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1360 - 1520
ACT range	29 - 33	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	19.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	17,475
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	6,386
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	1,684
Yield rate	26.4%	26.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	In state: $40,624 Out of state: $63,850
Average net price	$38,170	$18,399
Tuition	$59,474	In state: $17,434 Out of state: $40,089
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $8,490 Meal plan: $5,246
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	44.0% Average amount $21,700
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	22.0% Average amount $5,132
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	4.0% Average amount $27,548

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	6,543 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	2,974 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	35.2%
International students	5.3%	6.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,394	4,755
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	Virginia New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Legal Profession Education Social Sciences Multidisciplinary Studies
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%	91.0%
Dropout rate	0.6%	2.1%
Transferred out	11.3%	6.3%
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	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,208 Year 2: $71,202 Year 3: $87,886 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,972 Year 2: $66,087 Year 3: $81,526 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,399 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $80,518 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,897 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $80,071 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,977 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $69,021 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,979 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,485 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,630 Year 2: $44,117 Year 3: $51,824 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,566 Year 2: $39,153 Year 3: $50,454 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,517 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $48,118 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,414 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $47,651

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in academic programs between William & Mary and Bucknell University?

William & Mary offers a broader range of programs, including a strong emphasis on liberal arts and sciences, pre-professional programs, and a well-regarded law school. Bucknell University also excels in liberal arts and sciences, but is particularly known for its strong engineering, management, and education programs. William & Mary might be a better fit if you're interested in a wider variety of disciplines, while Bucknell could be ideal if you're focused on engineering, business, or education.
How does the campus environment differ between William & Mary and Bucknell?

William & Mary boasts a historic campus in Williamsburg, Virginia, steeped in tradition and offering a vibrant college town experience. Bucknell University has a more traditional, picturesque campus located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, with a strong sense of community and a focus on outdoor activities. William & Mary provides a more urban-adjacent experience, while Bucknell offers a more rural, close-knit environment.
What is the student body like at William & Mary compared to Bucknell?

William & Mary attracts a diverse student body with a strong emphasis on public service and leadership. Bucknell also has a diverse student body, but it tends to have a slightly more regional focus, with a significant representation from the Northeast. Both universities foster a strong sense of community, but the specific demographics and social dynamics may vary.
How do the costs of attendance compare at William & Mary and Bucknell?

Generally, Bucknell University has a higher tuition and overall cost of attendance compared to William & Mary. However, financial aid packages can significantly impact the net cost. It's essential to compare the financial aid offers from both institutions to determine the most affordable option for your individual circumstances. William & Mary, as a public university, often has lower tuition for in-state students.
What are the strengths of William & Mary's career services?

William & Mary's career services are well-regarded, with a strong focus on preparing students for careers in government, law, and the arts & sciences. They offer extensive resources for internships, networking, and job placement, leveraging the university's strong alumni network. The location in Williamsburg, near Washington D.C., also provides unique career opportunities.
What are the strengths of Bucknell's career services?

Bucknell's career services are particularly strong in engineering, business, and education, reflecting the university's academic strengths. They provide excellent support for internships, career counseling, and job placement, with a focus on connecting students with opportunities in their respective fields. Bucknell's strong alumni network also plays a crucial role in career development.
How does the social life differ at William & Mary and Bucknell?

William & Mary offers a social scene that is integrated with the historic town of Williamsburg, with a mix of on-campus events, Greek life, and access to local restaurants and entertainment. Bucknell's social life is centered more on campus, with a strong emphasis on student organizations, Greek life, and campus-sponsored events. Both universities offer a vibrant social environment, but the specific activities and atmosphere may vary.
Which university, William & Mary or Bucknell, is better for undergraduate research opportunities?

Both William & Mary and Bucknell University provide excellent undergraduate research opportunities. William & Mary, with its strong emphasis on research across various disciplines, offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in faculty-led research. Bucknell also emphasizes undergraduate research, particularly in STEM fields, and provides resources and support for students to participate in research projects.
How does the location of William & Mary and Bucknell impact the student experience?

William & Mary's location in Williamsburg, Virginia, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and access to larger cities like Richmond and Washington D.C. Bucknell's location in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, provides a more rural setting with access to outdoor recreation and a close-knit community. The location influences the types of activities available, the social environment, and the career opportunities accessible to students.
What are the athletic programs like at William & Mary and Bucknell?

Both William & Mary and Bucknell University have competitive Division I athletic programs. William & Mary competes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), while Bucknell competes in the Patriot League. Both universities offer a variety of sports and foster a strong sense of school spirit. The specific sports offered and the level of competition may vary.

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