Skip to content

Bucknell University vs Central Penn College

Bucknell University is a private university in Lewisburg, PA, and Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 29% at Bucknell University. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $40,766 at Bucknell University. About 86% of students graduate at Bucknell University, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Bucknell University alumni earn a median of about $93,807, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Lewisburg, PA
Summerdale, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,876
662
Acceptance rate
29%
18%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1470
660–910
ACT (middle 50%)
30–33
13–17
Test policy
Considered
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$40,766
$18,953
Full cost / yr
$83,756
$27,116
In-state tuition
$67,812
$19,854
Out-of-state tuition
$67,812
$19,854
Application fee
$50
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,980
$15,859
$30k - $48k
$12,276
$19,164
$48k - $75k
$23,679
$17,011
$75k - $110k
$28,165
$18,973
Over $110k
$55,724
$23,656
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
43%
Freshman retention
94%
65%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$78,852
$40,798
Median earnings (10 yr)
$93,807
$45,370
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$23,194
Student body
Pell grant recipients
12%
49%
First-generation students
12%
51%
International students
4%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 10
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bucknell University or Central Penn College harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 29% at Bucknell University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bucknell University or Central Penn College?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $40,766 at Bucknell University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bucknell University and Central Penn College?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Bucknell University about $83,756. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bucknell University or Central Penn College?
Central Penn College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,859 there, against about $20,980 at Bucknell University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bucknell University or Central Penn College?
Bucknell University is the larger of the two, with about 3,876 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
Does Bucknell University or Central Penn College have a better graduation rate?
Bucknell University has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Bucknell University or Central Penn College earn more?
Bucknell University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $93,807 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bucknell University and Central Penn College require SAT or ACT scores?
Bucknell University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Bucknell University and Central Penn College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1470 at Bucknell University and 660–910 at Central Penn College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school