Head-to-Head Comparison
Bucknell University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Bucknell Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 18
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bucknell University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Worcester Polytechnic Institute achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 86%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,071 compared to Bucknell University's $40,766. Students who choose Bucknell University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $93,807 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bucknell
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,766, roughly $2,305 a year less
- More selective: Admits 29% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than Bucknell University
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bucknell graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (21% of degrees); Worcester Polytechnic in Engineering (58%). 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Bucknell University. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $93,807.
Pick Bucknell University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $40,766 vs $43,071.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Bucknell University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.5%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bucknell University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but Worcester Polytechnic Institute wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Bucknell University is the harder admit. It takes 29% of applicants, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Bucknell 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, Bucknell University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,766, about $2,305 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,220 before any change in aid. Choosing Bucknell University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $103,470, compared with $93,807 at Bucknell University. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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.
Moving people up
Worcester Polytechnic Institute does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Bucknell University, it is 1.5%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 Bucknell University to keep costs and debt down; pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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. Bucknell University saves about $2,305 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $9,663 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Bucknell University is harder to get into, with a 29% admit rate, but Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. 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 Social Sciences, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Bucknell University's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
No strong negative signals — Worcester Polytechnic competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bucknell holds onto its admits more tightly: 28% of admitted students enroll, versus 9% at Worcester Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Bucknell (54.7% Early Decision admit rate vs 19.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Worcester Polytechnic, where only about 16% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
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.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, nearly 5,500 students engage deeply in hands-on learning, particularly in engineering, computer science, biology, and the arts. With a 60% acceptance rate, it attracts a diverse group of learners who thrive in a practical, project-oriented environment. The school's commitment to experiential education stands out, offering students opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, which is crucial for those aiming to bridge theory and practice.
Looking beyond graduation, WPI graduates can expect solid financial returns, with a median earnings figure of $103,470 just ten years after earning their degree. This kind of earning potential is significant, especially considering the school's 89% graduation rate, which suggests that most students not only complete their degrees but also move into well-paying jobs. Affordability is a factor too; with a net price of $43,071 after aid, many students find that the investment pays off in their career trajectories.
When it comes to the financial bottom line, WPI students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, a manageable amount considering their earning potential. This is particularly relevant for those who are mindful of their financial future. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are driven, curious, and ready to tackle challenges head-on in a collaborative atmosphere. Overall, WPI is a solid choice for students looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields while achieving strong financial outcomes.
Rankings They Appear On
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Bucknell's top program is Sociology (21% of enrollment), while Worcester Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (58%).
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 Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bucknell University is strongest in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Visual & Performing Arts. 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Bucknell University is harder to get into, admitting 29% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Bucknell University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Bucknell University is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,766 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do Bucknell University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $93,807 at Bucknell University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bucknell University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 86%.
Bucknell University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.5%.
Should you choose Bucknell University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bucknell University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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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