When it comes to choosing a college, students have many factors to consider. Two schools that may be on their lists are Bucknell University and Barnard College. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of the two institutions, covering various aspects such as costs, admissions, academics, and more. By examining the differences and similarities between the two schools, prospective students can make a more informed decision about which college best suits their needs and goals.
Bucknell Overview
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts college located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1846, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across three colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Freeman College of Management. With a campus size of 450 acres, Bucknell boasts a tight-knit community with around 3,600 undergraduate students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1. The university is known for its strong engineering and management programs, as well as its commitment to research and student-faculty collaboration.
Bucknell Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Bucknell is $74,668. This includes tuition and fees, which total $59,474, as well as room and board, which is estimated at $15,194. Additional expenses, such as books and personal expenses, can add another few thousand dollars to the total cost. However, it’s worth noting that Bucknell offers financial aid packages to help eligible students cover these expenses. Approximately 63% of students receive some form of financial aid, with the average need-based scholarship or grant award being $42,960.
Bucknell Admissions
Bucknell’s admissions process is considered to be selective, with an acceptance rate of 33.8% for the class of 2025. The middle 50% of accepted students scored between 1270 and 1420 on the SAT and between 29 and 33 on the ACT. In addition to test scores, the university considers factors such as high school GPA, rigor of coursework, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities when making admissions decisions. Bucknell also offers Early Decision options for students who consider it to be their top-choice school.
Bucknell Degrees Offered
Bucknell offers more than 60 majors across its three colleges, with popular programs including engineering, business, economics, and the social sciences. Students can also choose from a variety of minors and interdisciplinary programs, allowing for a customizable educational experience. Graduate programs at Bucknell are limited, with offerings primarily in education and engineering.
Bucknell Academics
With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 20 students, Bucknell provides an intimate educational environment that encourages close collaboration between students and professors. The curriculum is designed to balance breadth and depth, with all students required to complete a set of core courses in addition to their major requirements. Study abroad and research opportunities are also a key part of the Bucknell experience, with more than 450 students participating in study abroad programs each year.
Bucknell Diversity
Bucknell is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. Around 21% of the undergraduate population identifies as a student of color, and 7% are international students. The university has several programs and initiatives in place to promote diversity and inclusion, such as the Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence and the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Gender.
Bucknell Students
Bucknell students enjoy an active campus life, with more than 200 student-run clubs and organizations to choose from. Greek life is a prominent aspect of the social scene, with roughly 50% of students participating in fraternities or sororities. Athletics also play a significant role at Bucknell, with 27 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division I Patriot League.
Bucknell Campus
Situated on a picturesque 450-acre campus, Bucknell offers students a wealth of resources, including state-of-the-art academic facilities, comfortable residence halls, and ample opportunities for recreation. The campus is designed to foster a sense of community and engagement, with many spaces for students to gather, study, and socialize. The nearby town of Lewisburg also provides students with access to restaurants, shops, and cultural events.
Bucknell Alumni
Bucknell’s alumni network is comprised of more than 54,000 individuals who have gone on to achieve success in various fields, such as business, education, government, and the arts. Some notable alumni include Les Moonves, former CEO of CBS Corporation; Christy Mathewson, a Hall of Fame baseball player; and Edward Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and biologist.
Bucknell Rankings
In the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, Bucknell is ranked #37 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #32 for Best Value Schools. Additionally, the university makes an appearance in various subject-specific rankings, such as #3 for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate) and #47 for Best Undergraduate Business Programs.
Bucknell Outcomes
Bucknell’s strong focus on undergraduate education and research opportunities helps to prepare students for success after graduation. The university reports a 95% placement rate for the class of 2020, with 65% of graduates employed, 28% attending graduate school, and the remaining 7% pursuing other opportunities such as internships, fellowships, or volunteering. The average starting salary for Bucknell graduates in 2020 was $61,000.
Barnard College Overview
Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located in New York City. Founded in 1889, the college is affiliated with Columbia University, allowing students to benefit from the resources and opportunities available at both institutions. Barnard offers a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors including social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, and visual and performing arts. The college has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 2,600 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1.
Barnard College Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attendance at Barnard College for the 2021-2022 academic year is $78,352. This includes tuition and fees, which total $60,016, as well as room and board, which is estimated at $18,336. Additional expenses, such as books and personal expenses, can add another few thousand dollars to the total cost. However, much like Bucknell, Barnard offers financial aid packages to help eligible students cover these expenses. Approximately 54% of students receive some form of financial aid, with the average need-based scholarship or grant award being $45,778.
Barnard College Admissions
Barnard College’s admissions process is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.9% for the class of 2025. The middle 50% of accepted students scored between 1380 and 1520 on the SAT and between 31 and 35 on the ACT. In addition to test scores, the college considers factors such as high school GPA, rigor of coursework, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities when making admissions decisions. Barnard also offers Early Decision options for students who consider it to be their top-choice school.
Barnard College Degrees Offered
Barnard offers more than 50 majors across a variety of disciplines, with popular programs including psychology, political science, and English. Students can also choose from a range of minors and interdisciplinary programs, as well as take advantage of the opportunity to cross-register for courses at Columbia University. Barnard does not offer graduate programs.
Barnard College Academics
With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Barnard provides an intimate and supportive educational environment that is designed to empower women and promote academic excellence. The college’s curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and research skills, with all students required to complete a set of core courses in addition to their major requirements. Study abroad and research opportunities are also available, with more than 300 students participating in study abroad programs each year.
Barnard College Diversity
Barnard is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. Approximately 61% of the undergraduate population identifies as a student of color, and 15% of students are international. The college has a variety of programs and initiatives in place to promote diversity and inclusion, such as the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Center for Engaged Pedagogy.
Barnard College Students
Barnard students enjoy a vibrant campus life that is enriched by the college’s location in New York City. With more than 80 student-run clubs and organizations, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved and explore their interests. While there is no Greek life at Barnard, students have access to the social and extracurricular activities offered at Columbia University. Athletics are also available, with Barnard students eligible to participate in Columbia’s 31 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division I Ivy League.
Barnard College Campus
Barnard’s urban campus spans four acres in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City. The college offers a mix of historic and modern facilities, including recently renovated residence halls and cutting-edge academic buildings. Being located in New York City, Barnard students have access to a wealth of cultural, educational, and professional opportunities just steps from campus.
Barnard College Alumni
Barnard College has a strong network of more than 35,000 alumnae who have gone on to achieve success in various fields, such as business, education, government, and the arts. Some notable alumnae include Cynthia Nixon, actress and activist; Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer Prize-winning author; and Martha Stewart, entrepreneur and media mogul.
Barnard College Rankings
In the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, Barnard College is ranked #30 among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #12 for Best Value Schools. The college is also recognized for its strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, ranking #8 in this category.
Barnard College Outcomes
Barnard’s focus on providing a rigorous and empowering education for women helps to prepare students for success after graduation. The college reports a 95% placement rate for the class of 2020, with 65% of graduates employed, 29% attending graduate school, and the remaining 6% pursuing other opportunities such as internships, fellowships, or volunteering. The average starting salary for Barnard graduates in 2020 was $60,000.
Bucknell vs Barnard College Cost Comparison
Both Bucknell and Barnard College have high costs of attendance, with Bucknell’s total cost for the 2021-2022 academic year being $74,668 and Barnard’s being $78,352. While the difference in cost may be a factor to consider for some students, it’s important to remember that both schools offer financial aid packages to help eligible students cover these expenses. The average need-based scholarship or grant award at Bucknell is $42,960, while at Barnard, it is $45,778. In terms of value, both schools rank highly in the Best Value Schools category of the U.S. News & World Report rankings, with Bucknell at #32 and Barnard at #12.
Bucknell vs Barnard College Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Bucknell and Barnard College are competitive, but Barnard’s process is notably more selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.9% compared to Bucknell’s 33.8%. The middle 50% SAT and ACT score ranges for accepted students also reveal a higher level of academic achievement among Barnard’s admitted students. However, both schools consider a range of factors beyond test scores when making admissions decisions, so students with strong extracurricular involvement and personal qualities may still have a chance at being accepted.
Bucknell vs Barnard College Academic Difficulty
Both Bucknell and Barnard College are known for their rigorous academic programs and commitment to undergraduate education. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, both schools provide an intimate and supportive learning environment that encourages close collaboration between students and professors. The curriculum at both institutions emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and research skills, helping to prepare students for success after graduation. While both schools offer a wide range of academic programs, students interested in engineering or business may lean toward Bucknell, while those with a passion for the social sciences or visual and performing arts may find Barnard to be a better fit.
Bucknell vs Barnard College Outcome Comparison
Bucknell and Barnard College both report high placement rates for their graduates, with both schools at 95%. The average starting salary for graduates from both institutions is also similar, with Bucknell’s graduates earning an average of $61,000 and Barnard’s earning $60,000. Given the strong outcomes for graduates from both schools, students can expect to receive a high-quality education and support in preparing for their post-graduation careers, regardless of which institution they choose to attend.
