Head-to-Head Comparison
Bucknell University vs Colby College
- Bucknell Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 11
- Colby Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,180 vs Bucknell University's $40,766, Colby College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Colby College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bucknell
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,807 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Colby College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $23,586 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,157, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bucknell graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (21% of degrees); Colby in Social Sciences (28%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Bucknell University over Colby College. Median earnings of $93,807 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Bucknell University. Net price $17,180 vs $40,766.
Pick Bucknell University over Colby College. 1.5% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Colby College over Bucknell University. 89% completion rate vs 86%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bucknell University and Colby College are close on paper, but Colby College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Colby College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Bucknell University takes 29%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,410 to 1,501.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colby College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Colby College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,180, about $23,586 a year below Bucknell University's $40,766. Graduates of Colby College also borrow less: median debt of $19,157, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $94,344 before any change in aid. Choosing Colby College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Bucknell University graduates report median earnings of $93,807, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colby College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.24x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Colby College graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Bucknell University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.5%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Bucknell University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bucknell University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Colby College to keep costs and debt down; pick Bucknell University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Colby College saves about $23,586 a year, yet Bucknell University graduates earn $13,317 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Colby College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Bucknell University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bucknell University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Colby College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,766 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,157 at Colby College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Bucknell University's enrollment of 3,876 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
- Engineering-focused students: Bucknell University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bucknell offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Colby does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
The Overviews
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 3,876 students, Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, is an excellent fit for those seeking a close-knit academic community. The school has a 29% acceptance rate, which reflects a selective approach to admissions, and an impressive graduation rate of 86%. Students here typically dive into programs like Social Sciences, Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology, gaining both depth and breadth in their fields.
After graduation, Bucknell alumni find themselves in strong positions, with earnings averaging $93,807 a decade after they leave. This figure illustrates a solid return on investment for the education received, helping graduates build successful careers. While the median debt stands at $27,000, the balance seems manageable when considering the financial pathways that open up for graduates.
When we look at the cost of attendance, the net price after aid is about $40,766, which can feel significant but is often offset by the financial advantages graduates experience. Students who thrive here generally come with a sense of ambition and a commitment to making the most of the resources available. Bucknell seems to attract those ready to engage deeply in their studies and leverage their education for future success.
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Colby College is tailored for students who thrive in a highly selective environment and are eager to dive into topics like Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology, and Computer Science. It’s a small community of about 2,407 students, making it easier to form close connections with peers and professors alike. Those who choose Colby are often passionate about their fields and want to engage deeply in their studies.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni report impressive earnings, with a 10-year median income of $80,490. This suggests that a Colby education can lead to solid financial outcomes, helping graduates secure well-paying jobs. The affordability factor is also notable; with a net price of $17,180, many students find that they can graduate without being burdened by excessive debt, as the median debt sits at $19,157. This balance helps foster mobility for those who want to move up in their careers.
The numbers tell a clear story: Colby is not just about getting a degree but about setting up students for success in the real world. While 14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it, the overall environment tends to attract highly motivated individuals. Those who thrive here share a commitment to their studies and benefit from both a strong academic foundation and a supportive community.
Rankings They Appear On
Colby College is featured on the Best Colleges in Maine ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 21% of Bucknell's student body and 28% of Colby's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Bucknell) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bucknell University is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Colby College concentrates in Psychology, Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bucknell University or Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 29% at Bucknell University.
Which is more affordable, Bucknell University or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $40,766 at Bucknell University.
Do Bucknell University or Colby College graduates earn more?
Bucknell University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,807 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bucknell University or Colby College?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 86%.
Bucknell University vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Bucknell University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.5% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Bucknell University or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bucknell University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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