Head-to-Head Comparison
Bucknell University vs Tufts University
- Bucknell Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 17
- Tufts Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Tufts University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $39,998 vs Bucknell University's $40,766, Tufts University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Tufts University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 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, 13% more than Tufts University
Tufts
- Lower cost: Average net price of $39,998, roughly $768 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 11% 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); Tufts in Social Sciences (20%). 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 Tufts University. Median earnings of $93,807 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick Tufts University over Bucknell University. Net price $39,998 vs $40,766.
Pick Tufts University over Bucknell University. 2.1% mobility rate vs 1.5%.
Pick Tufts University over Bucknell University. 93% completion rate vs 86%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bucknell University and Tufts University are close on paper, but Tufts University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Tufts University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Bucknell University takes 29%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,410 to 1,513.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Tufts University 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, Tufts University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $39,998, about $768 a year below Bucknell University's $40,766. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,072 before any change in aid. Choosing Tufts University 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 $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
Tufts University graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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
Tufts University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at Bucknell University, it is 1.5%. Tufts University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Tufts 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 Tufts University 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. Tufts University saves about $768 a year, yet Bucknell University graduates earn $10,593 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Bucknell University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while Tufts University leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Tufts University's enrollment of 7,061 far exceeds Bucknell University's 3,876.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bucknell offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 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.
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Rankings They Appear On
Tufts University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 21% of Bucknell's student body and 20% of Tufts'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 Tufts).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bucknell University is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Tufts University concentrates in 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 Tufts University?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 29% at Bucknell University.
Which is more affordable, Bucknell University or Tufts University?
Tufts University is more affordable, with an average net price of $39,998 after aid versus $40,766 at Bucknell University.
Do Bucknell University or Tufts University graduates earn more?
Bucknell University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,807 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bucknell University or Tufts University?
Tufts University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 86%.
Bucknell University vs Tufts University: which is better for social mobility?
Tufts University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.1% versus 1.5%.
Should you choose Bucknell University or Tufts University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Tufts University 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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