Bucknell University vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Bucknell University and University of Virginia-Main Campus, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Bucknell, a private liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on undergraduate education, while UVA, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs and opportunities for graduate study. With Bucknell's acceptance rate hovering around 25% compared to UVA's 27%, both universities are highly selective. While Bucknell's student body is predominantly White, UVA's is more diverse, reflecting the broader population. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1380 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 33	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	3,889
Yield rate	26.4%	39.1%
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	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$38,170	$20,401
Tuition	$59,474	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $37,752	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	35.2%
International students	5.3%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,394	7,645
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	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	93.7%
Dropout rate	0.6%	2.3%
Transferred out	11.3%	3.6%
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	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $185,710 Year 2: $162,255 Year 3: $193,013 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $157,071 Year 2: $155,263 Year 3: $176,237 Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,350 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $125,729 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,426 Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $120,362 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,239 Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $109,956 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,639 Year 2: $92,077 Year 3: $108,272 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,682 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $101,904 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,602 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $95,939 Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,487 Year 2: $82,808 Year 3: $94,931 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,807 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $84,597

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Bucknell University and the University of Virginia (UVA)?

Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a small, rural town. The campus is known for its beautiful, traditional architecture and close-knit community feel. UVA, on the other hand, is situated in Charlottesville, Virginia, a city with a more vibrant cultural scene and a larger population. UVA's campus, designed by Thomas Jefferson, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a blend of historical and modern facilities. UVA's campus is also significantly larger than Bucknell's.
How do the academic programs at Bucknell and UVA compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. UVA is generally considered to have a broader selection of graduate programs and is particularly strong in law, medicine, and business. Bucknell excels in undergraduate programs, especially in engineering, management, and the liberal arts. UVA has a larger student body, which can provide more diverse course offerings, while Bucknell's smaller size often allows for more personalized attention from professors.
What is the student body like at each university?

UVA has a much larger and more diverse student body, drawing students from across the United States and internationally. Bucknell has a smaller, more regionally focused student body, with a significant portion of students coming from the Northeast. Both universities have a strong emphasis on student engagement and offer a variety of extracurricular activities.
How does the cost of attendance compare?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between the two institutions. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly based on individual circumstances. It's recommended to check the specific net price calculators on each university's website to get a personalized estimate.
What are the strengths of the social and extracurricular life at Bucknell and UVA?

UVA offers a very active social scene with a wide variety of clubs, organizations, and Greek life. The university's location in Charlottesville provides access to numerous cultural and entertainment options. Bucknell also has a vibrant social scene, with a strong emphasis on campus events and a close-knit community. Bucknell's Greek life is also a significant part of the social fabric. Both universities offer a wide range of Division I sports programs.
How selective are Bucknell and UVA in their admissions processes?

Both universities are highly selective. UVA generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate than Bucknell, reflecting its larger applicant pool. Both universities consider a student's academic record, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation in their admissions decisions. Strong academic performance and a well-rounded profile are essential for admission to either institution.
What are the career services and opportunities like at each university?

Both universities offer robust career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. UVA, with its larger alumni network and location near major metropolitan areas, may offer more opportunities in certain fields. Bucknell's strong alumni network and focus on undergraduate career preparation also provide excellent support for students seeking employment after graduation. Both universities have strong placement rates for their graduates.
How does the campus culture differ?

UVA's campus culture is often described as having a strong sense of tradition and a focus on student self-governance. The Honor Code is a significant part of the university's culture. Bucknell's campus culture is known for its strong sense of community and a more relaxed atmosphere. Both universities foster a culture of intellectual curiosity and encourage student involvement.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific field, such as engineering or business?

Bucknell is particularly strong in undergraduate engineering and management programs. UVA has highly-regarded programs in business (McIntire School of Commerce) and engineering, as well as strong programs in law and medicine. The best choice depends on the specific program and the student's academic goals. Researching the specific departments and faculty at each university is recommended.
What are the housing options like at Bucknell and UVA?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and themed housing. UVA requires first- and second-year students to live on campus. Bucknell also has a strong on-campus housing system. Both universities offer a range of housing styles and amenities to suit different preferences.

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