Providence College vs Bucknell University

Providence College and Bucknell University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Providence College, a private Catholic university in Rhode Island, boasts a 68% acceptance rate and a student body that is predominantly white (78%) and Catholic (60%). Bucknell University, a private nonsectarian university in Pennsylvania, has a more selective admissions process with a 29% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 68% white students and 12% international students. While Providence College excels in nursing, biology, and psychology, Bucknell University is renowned for its engineering, business, and education programs. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Providence College at 86% and Bucknell University at 91%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Providence College
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Providence, Rhode Island
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	58.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1120 - 1330
ACT range	29 - 33	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	11,129
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	6,453
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	1,040
Yield rate	26.4%	16.1%
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	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	$70,948
Average net price	$38,170	$39,566
Tuition	$59,474	$55,040
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $9,260 Meal plan: $6,800
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	83.0% Average amount $30,997
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	52.0% Average amount $5,377
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	10.0% Average amount $24,146

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	4,179 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	492 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	89.8%
International students	5.3%	1.7%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,394	3,560
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	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Education Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences History
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	89.0%
Dropout rate	0.6%	2.8%
Transferred out	11.3%	8.2%
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	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,405 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $80,089 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,824 Year 2: $65,198 Year 3: $79,036 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,761 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $75,198 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,900 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $70,359 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,440 Year 2: $49,899 Year 3: $63,339 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,956 Year 2: $51,722 Year 3: $60,804 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,573 Year 2: $44,943 Year 3: $57,894 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,024 Year 2: $45,383 Year 3: $55,748 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,583 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $53,893 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,317 Year 2: $44,649 Year 3: $52,717

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Providence College and Bucknell University?

Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican-run institution known for its strong liberal arts core and emphasis on undergraduate education. Bucknell University, while non-denominational, also offers a strong liberal arts foundation but distinguishes itself with its engineering programs and a greater focus on research opportunities for undergraduates. Providence is located in a city, while Bucknell is in a more rural setting.
How do the academic reputations of Providence College and Bucknell University compare?

Both Providence College and Bucknell University are highly regarded institutions. Bucknell is often considered slightly more selective and may have a stronger national reputation, particularly in engineering. Providence College is well-respected, especially in the Northeast, and is known for its strong business programs and liberal arts curriculum.
What is the campus environment like at Providence College versus Bucknell University?

Providence College offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community, fostered by its Catholic identity and active student organizations. Its location in Providence provides access to city amenities. Bucknell University, situated in a more rural setting, offers a close-knit campus community with a focus on outdoor activities and a more traditional college town experience.
Which school is larger: Providence College or Bucknell University?

Providence College has a slightly larger undergraduate population than Bucknell University. This difference can influence class sizes and the overall feel of the campus.
How do the costs of attending Providence College and Bucknell University compare?

Both Providence College and Bucknell University are private institutions, and their tuition costs are comparable. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages and individual spending habits. It's best to compare the net cost (after financial aid) for each school based on your specific financial situation.
What types of academic programs are particularly strong at Providence College?

Providence College is known for its strong programs in business (especially finance and marketing), political science, history, and the humanities. Its core curriculum provides a solid foundation in the liberal arts.
What types of academic programs are particularly strong at Bucknell University?

Bucknell University excels in engineering, management, and the natural sciences. It also has strong programs in the humanities and social sciences, offering a well-rounded liberal arts education alongside its professional programs.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Providence College versus Bucknell University?

Graduates from both Providence College and Bucknell University find success in a variety of fields. Providence College's location in a city provides access to internships and job opportunities in the Northeast. Bucknell University's strong alumni network and career services support graduates in finding opportunities nationwide.
How does the student life and extracurricular activities differ between the two schools?

Providence College has a very active student life with a strong emphasis on athletics, clubs, and campus ministry. Bucknell University also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Greek life, performing arts, and outdoor recreation. The rural setting of Bucknell encourages a greater focus on on-campus activities.
What is the religious affiliation of Providence College and Bucknell University?

Providence College is a Catholic college founded by the Dominican Order. While its Catholic identity is central to its mission, it welcomes students of all faiths. Bucknell University is non-denominational and has a long history of welcoming students from diverse religious backgrounds.
How do the athletic programs compare between Providence College and Bucknell University?

Providence College competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a strong emphasis on basketball and hockey. Bucknell University also competes in NCAA Division I athletics, but in the Patriot League, with a broader range of competitive sports.
What are the surrounding areas like for each college?

Providence College is located in Providence, Rhode Island, a vibrant city with a rich history, arts scene, and diverse culinary offerings. Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a small, charming college town surrounded by natural beauty and offering a more relaxed atmosphere.
What are the typical class sizes at Providence College and Bucknell University?

While both institutions emphasize a personalized learning environment, Bucknell University generally has slightly smaller class sizes due to its smaller overall student population. However, both schools strive to maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio.
How do the alumni networks compare between Providence College and Bucknell University?

Both Providence College and Bucknell University have strong and active alumni networks that provide valuable career support and networking opportunities for graduates. Bucknell's alumni network is particularly strong in fields like engineering and finance, while Providence College's network is well-established in the Northeast business community.

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