Villanova University vs Bucknell University

Villanova University and Bucknell University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, located in the vibrant Philadelphia suburbs, boasts a higher acceptance rate (68%) compared to Bucknell's selective admissions (29%). While Villanova's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 10% of the population, Bucknell's student body is predominantly white (78%). Both universities excel in academics, with Villanova specializing in business, engineering, and nursing, and Bucknell offering strengths in engineering, business, and the liberal arts. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and campus life, to determine which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	Bucknell University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
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%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1350 - 1490
ACT range	29 - 33	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	1,772
Yield rate	26.4%	28.8%
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	$77,806
Average net price	$38,170	$33,123
Tuition	$59,474	$58,290
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
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	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	80.7%
International students	5.3%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,394	5,400
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	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	91.3%
Dropout rate	0.6%	1.5%
Transferred out	11.3%	7.2%
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	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Villanova University and Bucknell University?

Villanova University is a Catholic, Augustinian university located in a suburban setting near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's known for its strong business, engineering, and nursing programs, as well as its vibrant campus life rooted in its Augustinian values. Bucknell University, on the other hand, is a private, secular liberal arts university located in a more rural setting in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Bucknell is known for its strong undergraduate focus, offering both liberal arts and engineering programs within a single college.
Which university is larger, Villanova or Bucknell?

Villanova University is significantly larger than Bucknell University. Villanova has a total enrollment of over 10,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students, while Bucknell has a total enrollment of around 3,700 students, primarily undergraduates.
How do the academic programs compare between Villanova and Bucknell?

Villanova excels in professional programs like business (Villanova School of Business is highly ranked), engineering, nursing, and law, alongside strong liberal arts offerings. Bucknell offers a broader range of liberal arts disciplines and a well-regarded engineering program, all within a primarily undergraduate setting. Bucknell emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and close faculty-student interaction.
What is the campus environment like at Villanova and Bucknell?

Villanova's campus is suburban, offering a blend of traditional college atmosphere and proximity to the city of Philadelphia. Campus life is heavily influenced by its Catholic identity, with numerous student organizations and activities. Bucknell's campus is more rural and self-contained, fostering a close-knit community. It offers a more traditional liberal arts college experience with a focus on undergraduate life and student involvement.
How do the costs of attending Villanova and Bucknell compare?

Both Villanova and Bucknell are private universities with similar high costs of attendance. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are comparable. However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on financial aid packages and scholarships awarded to individual students. It's best to compare the net cost (cost after aid) for each university based on your specific financial situation.
What are the acceptance rates for Villanova and Bucknell?

Both Villanova and Bucknell are highly selective institutions. Villanova's acceptance rate is typically lower than Bucknell's, making it slightly more competitive to get into. You should check the most recent data on each university's website for the most up-to-date acceptance rates.
Which university is better for students interested in Greek life?

Both Villanova and Bucknell have active Greek life communities. Bucknell has a higher percentage of students participating in fraternities and sororities compared to Villanova. If Greek life is a significant factor in your college decision, you may want to research the specific chapters and their activities at each university.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

Both Villanova and Bucknell have strong career services departments that offer resources such as career counseling, resume workshops, and internship opportunities. Both universities also boast active and supportive alumni networks that can be valuable for career advancement. Villanova's alumni network may be larger due to its larger student body and longer history.
What are the athletic programs like at Villanova and Bucknell?

Villanova is a Division I school known for its successful basketball program, which has won multiple national championships. It competes in the Big East Conference. Bucknell is also a Division I school, competing in the Patriot League. While Bucknell offers a wide range of varsity sports, it is generally not as nationally recognized for its athletic achievements as Villanova.
Which university is a better fit for me?

The best university for you depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you are looking for a larger university with a strong Catholic identity, a suburban location near a major city, and highly ranked professional programs, Villanova might be a good fit. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate liberal arts college experience in a rural setting, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and close faculty interaction, Bucknell might be a better choice. Visiting both campuses and talking to current students is highly recommended to help you make your decision.

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