Rollins College vs Bucknell University

Rollins College and Bucknell University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Rollins College, nestled in the heart of Winter Park, Florida, boasts a vibrant campus and a diverse student body. With an acceptance rate of 67%, it provides a welcoming environment for students from various backgrounds. Bucknell University, situated in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is known for its rigorous academics and strong alumni network. Its acceptance rate of 29% reflects its highly selective admissions process. While Rollins College excels in popular majors like Business, Psychology, and Biology, Bucknell University offers strengths in Engineering, Business, and the Humanities. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.

	Bucknell University	Rollins College
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Winter Park, Florida
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%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	48.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	$50
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	8,409
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	4,094
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	549
Yield rate	26.4%	13.4%
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	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	$68,790
Average net price	$38,170	$30,229
Tuition	$59,474	$54,740
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $9,250 Meal plan: $6,390
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	96.0% Average amount $38,351
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	36.0% Average amount $5,292
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	3.0% Average amount $25,790

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,510 Men 40.0% Women 60.0%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	547 Men 44.8% Women 55.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	49.1%
International students	5.3%	9.0%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,394	1,555
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	Florida New York Georgia Connecticut North Carolina

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	70.6%
Dropout rate	0.6%	0.4%
Transferred out	11.3%	28.8%
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,158 Year 2: $62,806 Year 3: $75,171 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,266 Year 2: $42,044 Year 3: $57,122 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,638 Year 3: $47,646 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,075 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $46,388 International Business (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,044 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,591 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,330 Year 2: $36,368 Year 3: $40,355 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,629 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $39,001 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,214 Year 2: $30,228 Year 3: $34,385 Music (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,126 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $27,620 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,095 Year 2: $20,140 Year 3: $22,697

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Rollins College and Bucknell University?

Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Florida, is a smaller, private liberal arts college known for its strong focus on personalized learning and a vibrant campus life. Bucknell University, situated in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is a larger, private university offering both liberal arts and engineering programs, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and a more traditional college experience. Rollins benefits from a warmer climate and proximity to Orlando, while Bucknell offers a more secluded, campus-focused environment.
How do the academic programs at Rollins and Bucknell compare?

Both Rollins and Bucknell offer a wide range of undergraduate programs. Bucknell distinguishes itself with its well-regarded engineering programs, which Rollins lacks. Rollins excels in areas like business, communication, and theater arts. Both institutions emphasize a liberal arts foundation, but Bucknell provides more opportunities for interdisciplinary study across its different colleges (Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Management).
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each school?

Rollins College prides itself on small class sizes, with an average class size of around 20 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 10:1. Bucknell also maintains a commitment to personalized attention, with an average class size of around 22 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of about 9:1. Both institutions prioritize close interaction between students and professors.
How do the campus cultures differ between Rollins and Bucknell?

Rollins College boasts a more vibrant and social campus culture, influenced by its location in a lively city and its emphasis on student involvement. Bucknell offers a more traditional, campus-centered experience, with a strong sense of community and a focus on extracurricular activities and student organizations. Rollins tends to attract students seeking a more diverse and urban environment, while Bucknell appeals to those who prefer a more secluded and academically focused setting.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities at Rollins and Bucknell?

Both Rollins College and Bucknell University have similar tuition costs, which are relatively high due to their status as private institutions. Both schools offer a range of financial aid options, including merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. The specific amount of aid awarded varies depending on individual circumstances, so it's essential to explore the financial aid packages offered by each institution based on your family's financial situation.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Rollins and Bucknell?

Both Rollins and Bucknell provide comprehensive career services to their students, including career counseling, resume workshops, and internship placement assistance. Rollins benefits from its location near Orlando, offering internship opportunities in tourism, entertainment, and business. Bucknell leverages its alumni network and partnerships to provide internships in various fields, including engineering, finance, and the arts. Both schools actively support students in their career development and job search efforts.
How does the location of each school impact the student experience?

Rollins College's location in Winter Park, Florida, offers students access to a vibrant city with numerous cultural attractions, entertainment options, and internship opportunities. The warm climate allows for year-round outdoor activities. Bucknell University's location in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, provides a more secluded and traditional college town environment. The campus is surrounded by natural beauty, offering opportunities for hiking and outdoor recreation. The location fosters a strong sense of community and a focus on campus life.
What are the strengths of Rollins College?

Rollins College excels in providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and close faculty interaction. Its location in Winter Park, Florida, offers access to a vibrant city and numerous internship opportunities. Rollins is known for its strong programs in business, communication, and theater arts, and its commitment to student involvement and a diverse campus culture.
What are the strengths of Bucknell University?

Bucknell University distinguishes itself with its strong engineering programs and its emphasis on undergraduate research. Its location in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, provides a traditional college town environment and a strong sense of community. Bucknell offers a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities, and its alumni network provides valuable career opportunities for graduates.
Which school is better for students interested in engineering?

Bucknell University is the clear choice for students interested in engineering. Rollins College does not offer an engineering program, while Bucknell has a well-regarded College of Engineering with various specializations and research opportunities.
Which school is better for students interested in business?

Both Rollins and Bucknell offer strong business programs. Rollins' Crummer Graduate School of Business is highly regarded, and its undergraduate business programs benefit from the school's location near Orlando's business hub. Bucknell's Freeman College of Management provides a rigorous business education with a focus on ethical leadership and global perspectives. The 'better' choice depends on individual preferences and career goals.
Do Rollins and Bucknell have similar athletic programs?

Both Rollins and Bucknell offer a variety of NCAA Division I athletic programs. Rollins competes in the Sunshine State Conference, while Bucknell competes in the Patriot League. While both offer a range of sports, Bucknell generally has a larger athletic program due to its larger student body.

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