Vassar College vs Bucknell University

Vassar College and Bucknell University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Vassar, a liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (22%) compared to Bucknell's 32%. Vassar's student body is predominantly female (63%), while Bucknell's is more evenly balanced (49% female, 51% male). In terms of academics, Vassar offers a wider range of majors, including unique programs like Urban Studies and Cognitive Science, while Bucknell excels in STEM fields, with popular majors such as Engineering and Computer Science. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Vassar at 92% and Bucknell at 90%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Vassar College
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Poughkeepsie, New York
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%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	20.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1420 - 1540
ACT range	29 - 33	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	31.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	20.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	10,884
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	2,193
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	679
Yield rate	26.4%	31.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not 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	$81,330
Average net price	$38,170	$27,249
Tuition	$59,474	$61,940
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	$15,710
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	57.0% Average amount $49,162
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	46.0% Average amount $3,729
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	4.0% Average amount $14,435

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,516 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	76.9%	N/A
International students	5.3%	8.4%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,394	2,448
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	92.5%
Dropout rate	0.6%	5.6%
Transferred out	11.3%	2.0%
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 and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,930 Year 2: $69,535 Year 3: $93,622 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,665 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $66,026 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,871 Year 2: $49,683 Year 3: $59,758 Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $19,233 Year 2: $39,729 Year 3: $45,366 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,929 Year 2: $31,670 Year 3: $43,616 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $40,086 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,522 Year 2: $35,600 Year 3: $38,666 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,708 Year 3: $38,274 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,008 Year 2: $28,236 Year 3: $36,733 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,175 Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: $35,465

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Vassar College is a highly selective, independent liberal arts college known for its open curriculum and strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Bucknell University, while also offering a strong liberal arts education, uniquely combines it with a highly regarded College of Engineering and management programs. Vassar is located in a more suburban setting near New York City, while Bucknell is situated in a more rural environment in central Pennsylvania. Vassar is exclusively undergraduate, while Bucknell offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.
How do Vassar and Bucknell compare in terms of academic focus?

Vassar emphasizes a broad, interdisciplinary liberal arts education with no core curriculum, allowing students to design their own academic path. Bucknell offers a strong liberal arts foundation alongside pre-professional programs in engineering, management, and education. If you're certain about pursuing engineering or business, Bucknell offers direct entry into those programs. If you prefer a more exploratory and self-directed academic experience, Vassar might be a better fit.
What is the campus environment like at Vassar versus Bucknell?

Vassar's campus is located in Poughkeepsie, New York, offering a blend of a traditional college setting with access to the cultural and professional opportunities of the New York metropolitan area. Bucknell's campus is in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, providing a more self-contained, close-knit community in a rural setting. Consider whether you prefer proximity to a major city or a more traditional, immersive college town experience.
How do the student bodies at Vassar and Bucknell differ?

Both Vassar and Bucknell attract academically strong and diverse student bodies. Vassar is known for its progressive and politically engaged student population. Bucknell tends to have a slightly larger student body and a more balanced mix of interests, including strong participation in Greek life and athletics. Consider which type of campus culture aligns best with your personal values and interests.
What are the strengths of Vassar's and Bucknell's alumni networks?

Both Vassar and Bucknell have strong and active alumni networks that can provide valuable career support and networking opportunities. Vassar's alumni network is particularly strong in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, with a significant presence in New York City. Bucknell's alumni network is well-connected in business, engineering, and finance, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. Think about which alumni network might be more beneficial for your career aspirations.
How do Vassar and Bucknell compare in terms of cost and financial aid?

Both Vassar and Bucknell are selective private institutions with similar tuition costs. Both offer need-based financial aid packages to eligible students. It's essential to compare the specific financial aid offers you receive from each institution, as the net cost can vary significantly based on your family's financial situation. Use the Net Price Calculators on each college's website to get an estimate of your potential costs.
What are the athletic opportunities like at Vassar and Bucknell?

Vassar competes in NCAA Division III, emphasizing a balance between academics and athletics. Bucknell competes in NCAA Division I in most sports, offering a more competitive athletic environment. If you are a serious athlete aiming to compete at a high level, Bucknell might be a better choice. If you prefer a more recreational or balanced approach to athletics, Vassar could be a better fit.
How do Vassar and Bucknell approach career services and internship opportunities?

Both Vassar and Bucknell offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and internship support. Vassar's location near New York City provides access to a wide range of internship opportunities in various fields. Bucknell leverages its alumni network and strong relationships with companies in the Mid-Atlantic region to provide internship and job placement opportunities, particularly in engineering and business. Consider which location and industry connections align best with your career goals.
What are the most popular majors at Vassar and Bucknell?

At Vassar, popular majors include English, political science, economics, biology, and psychology. At Bucknell, popular majors include engineering (various disciplines), management, economics, biology, and political science. This reflects the different academic focuses of the two institutions.
How does the size of Vassar and Bucknell impact the student experience?

Vassar has a smaller student body (around 2,450 undergraduates) compared to Bucknell (around 3,700 undergraduates). This means Vassar generally offers smaller class sizes and a more intimate learning environment. Bucknell, with its larger size, may offer a wider range of courses and extracurricular activities, but class sizes might be slightly larger on average, especially in introductory courses.

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