Furman University vs Bucknell University

Furman University and Bucknell University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Furman, nestled in the charming town of Greenville, South Carolina, boasts a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community feel. Bucknell, located in the vibrant college town of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a larger student population and a more diverse range of academic programs. While Furman excels in liberal arts and sciences, Bucknell is renowned for its engineering, management, and education programs. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Furman's at 87% and Bucknell's at 91%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Furman University
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Greenville, South Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	71.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1240 - 1422
ACT range	29 - 33	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	29.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	7,174
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	5,119
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	656
Yield rate	26.4%	12.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	$69,880
Average net price	$38,170	$33,999
Tuition	$59,474	$52,992
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $6,202
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $37,752	96.0% Average amount $33,191
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	28.0% Average amount $5,170
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	5.0% Average amount $20,783

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,307 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	156 Men 20.5% Women 79.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	67.8%
International students	5.3%	3.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,394	2,406
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	South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Florida Texas

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	81.9%
Dropout rate	0.6%	2.4%
Transferred out	11.3%	15.7%
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,571 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $56,414 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,227 Year 2: $40,140 Year 3: $52,939 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,108 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $50,384 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $61,615 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $14,357 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,821 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences in location and campus setting between Furman and Bucknell?

Furman University is located in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a beautiful 750-acre campus with a lake and extensive green spaces. It provides a more Southern, suburban feel. Bucknell University, on the other hand, is situated in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a classic college town in a rural setting. Bucknell's campus is smaller, around 450 acres, and has a more traditional Northeastern atmosphere.
How do Furman and Bucknell compare in terms of size and student body?

Furman is a smaller university with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,700 students, fostering a close-knit community. Bucknell is slightly larger, with approximately 3,700 undergraduate students. Both universities primarily focus on undergraduate education, but Bucknell also offers a selection of graduate programs, which Furman does not.
What are the key academic strengths of Furman and Bucknell?

Furman is known for its strong liberal arts focus, emphasizing engaged learning and undergraduate research. Popular programs include business, political science, and health sciences. Bucknell also excels in the liberal arts but distinguishes itself with its strong engineering and management programs, in addition to its offerings in the humanities and sciences.
How do the costs of attending Furman and Bucknell compare?

Both Furman and Bucknell are private universities with similar tuition costs. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages and individual spending habits. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to explore their net price calculators to estimate your potential costs.
What is the student life like at Furman versus Bucknell?

Furman offers a vibrant student life with a strong emphasis on Greek life and campus traditions. Students are actively involved in clubs, organizations, and outdoor activities, taking advantage of the campus's natural beauty. Bucknell also has a robust student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics. Bucknell's location in a college town provides students with additional social and cultural opportunities.
How do Furman and Bucknell approach career services and post-graduation outcomes?

Both Furman and Bucknell are committed to helping students succeed after graduation. They offer comprehensive career services, including internships, networking opportunities, and career counseling. Both universities boast high placement rates for graduates in various fields, with alumni networks that provide valuable support and connections.
What are the athletic programs like at Furman and Bucknell?

Both Furman and Bucknell offer Division I athletic programs. Furman competes in the Southern Conference, while Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League. Both universities offer a variety of sports, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level and for students to engage as fans.
What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for Furman and Bucknell?

Both Furman and Bucknell are selective universities with competitive admission processes. They typically require strong academic records, standardized test scores (though policies may vary), essays, and letters of recommendation. Acceptance rates fluctuate, so it's best to consult the universities' websites for the most current information. Both institutions seek well-rounded students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to contributing to the campus community.
How do Furman and Bucknell support diversity and inclusion on campus?

Both Furman and Bucknell are actively working to create more diverse and inclusive campus environments. They offer various programs, initiatives, and resources to support students from diverse backgrounds and promote intercultural understanding. Specific programs and initiatives may vary, so it's recommended to explore the universities' websites for detailed information on their diversity and inclusion efforts.
What opportunities are available for study abroad at Furman and Bucknell?

Both Furman and Bucknell offer extensive study abroad programs, allowing students to gain international experience and broaden their perspectives. They partner with universities and organizations around the world, providing a wide range of program options in various academic disciplines. Students can typically study abroad for a semester, a year, or during the summer.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Bucknell University

University of California-Berkeley