Middlebury College vs Bucknell University

Middlebury College and Bucknell University, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Middlebury, nestled in the picturesque town of Middlebury, Vermont, boasts a lower acceptance rate (15.6%) compared to Bucknell's (29.4%). While Middlebury's student body is slightly larger, both universities share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering close interactions between students and professors. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Middlebury College
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Middlebury, Vermont
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	13.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1295 - 1450	1380 - 1530
ACT range	29 - 33	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%	31.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	23.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	1,601
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	680
Yield rate	26.4%	42.5%
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	$78,820
Average net price	$38,170	$26,958
Tuition	$59,474	$59,330
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $9,600 Meal plan: $7,450
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $37,752	52.0% Average amount $49,988
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	25.0% Average amount $4,384
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	10.0% Average amount $7,858

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,858 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	79 Men 8.9% Women 91.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	94.7%
International students	5.3%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	3,394	2,891
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Connecticut Maryland	New York Mississippi California Connecticut Vermont

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies English Language and Literature Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	91.2%
Dropout rate	0.6%	1.7%
Transferred out	11.3%	7.1%
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	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,712 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $98,106 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,169 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $68,272 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,074 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $62,953 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,380 Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $62,186 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,883 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $61,255 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,031 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $60,732 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,928 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,550 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,155 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $50,725 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,056 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,126 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,769 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $41,771

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Middlebury College and Bucknell University?

Middlebury College is renowned for its strong focus on language learning and international studies, offering immersive language programs and a global perspective. Bucknell University, while also strong academically, emphasizes a broader liberal arts education with a notable emphasis on engineering, management, and the sciences. Middlebury's academic environment is often described as more intimate, while Bucknell offers a larger student body and a wider range of programs.
How does the campus environment differ at Middlebury and Bucknell?

Middlebury College boasts a quintessential New England campus nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont, providing a close-knit community and a strong connection to the outdoors. Bucknell University features a more traditional, picturesque campus in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, with a more expansive feel and a vibrant social scene. The setting at Middlebury fosters a more secluded and focused academic experience, while Bucknell offers a more accessible and diverse social environment.
What are the strengths of the faculty at each institution?

Both Middlebury and Bucknell have dedicated and accomplished faculty. Middlebury's faculty are known for their expertise in language and international studies, often with significant experience abroad. Bucknell's faculty are recognized for their commitment to undergraduate teaching and research, with strong programs in engineering, business, and the sciences. Both institutions prioritize student-faculty interaction and mentorship.
How do the student bodies compare at Middlebury and Bucknell?

Middlebury College has a smaller, more selective student body, fostering a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on intellectual pursuits and global awareness. Bucknell University has a larger and more diverse student body, representing a wider range of backgrounds and interests. Bucknell's student body is known for its active involvement in campus life and a strong sense of school spirit.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Middlebury and Bucknell?

Graduates from both Middlebury and Bucknell are highly sought after by employers. Middlebury graduates often pursue careers in international affairs, language-related fields, and graduate studies. Bucknell graduates are well-prepared for careers in engineering, business, finance, and other professional fields. Both institutions have strong career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Middlebury and Bucknell?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable at both Middlebury and Bucknell. However, financial aid packages can vary depending on individual circumstances. Both institutions are committed to providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate need. Prospective students should review the financial aid information on each college's website and compare their estimated net costs.
What are the extracurricular and social life options at Middlebury and Bucknell?

Middlebury offers a vibrant extracurricular scene with a focus on outdoor activities, language clubs, and international organizations. The social life is often centered around campus events and the surrounding town. Bucknell provides a more extensive range of extracurricular activities, including a strong Greek life presence, numerous clubs and organizations, and a lively social scene. Bucknell's location also provides easy access to nearby cities and attractions.
Which college is better for someone interested in international studies?

Middlebury College is generally considered the stronger choice for students specifically focused on international studies and language learning. Its renowned language schools, study abroad programs, and global focus provide unparalleled opportunities for immersion and specialization. Bucknell also offers international programs, but Middlebury's emphasis is more pronounced.
Which college is better for someone interested in engineering?

Bucknell University has a well-regarded engineering program with a strong reputation and excellent resources. While Middlebury offers a solid liberal arts education, Bucknell's engineering department is more extensive and provides more specialized opportunities for engineering students.
How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

Middlebury's location in rural Vermont provides a tranquil and nature-focused environment, ideal for students seeking a close-knit community and outdoor recreation. Bucknell's location in central Pennsylvania offers a more accessible environment with a wider range of social and cultural opportunities, as well as easier access to larger cities like Philadelphia and New York City.

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