Bucknell vs Gettysburg??

College Search & Selection
1

I am deciding between Gettysburg and Bucknell. I was accepted into Gettysburg with a $26,000 Merrit scholarship but I did not receive any award at Bucknell.

I love the campus at Bucknell and I can see myself there. I smile when I think of the campus. But Gettysburg also gives me a great feeling and the campus is also really nice.

I am interested in business so being in the management school at Bucknell is something I like. I also have an interest in Spanish as a minor and I liked the program at Gettysburg better for that.

The community and kind of students at a school is very important to me. The kids seem friendlier at Gettysburg in comparison to Bucknell. Idk how true this is or if things are starting to change.

I do know a couple people at Bucknell, which seems helpful, especially in terms of greek life if I look to rush a frat. Will it help that much though? Idk anyone at Gettysburg but it seems a little less exclusive which might make it easier.

I lean one way and then flip. I have to decide soon and idk what to do.

2

Honestly, if you are on the fence, finances could be a good way to decide.

3

Both schools are great, but more than 100K over four years is a substantial difference. Can your family afford both? This might be of interest to you or not, but Bucknell is ranked #6 in a dubious category: schools that have more students from the top 1% (families earning $650K+) than the bottom 60% (families earning $60K or below). Just throwing it out there: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/18/upshot/some-colleges-have-more-students-from-the-top-1-percent-than-the-bottom-60.html

Really, these are peer institutions, though some might suggest that Bucknell is perceived as more prestigious. I don’t believe that. Sure, Bucknell’s ranking in US News is 33, while Gettysburg is 46. But this is splitting hairs. When I hear both schools’ names, I think of them as peers, rivals.

Listen, if your family can afford Bucknell, then that’s where you should go. I finances are an issue, you’ll be more than fine at Gettysburg. It’s not as you feel “meh” about Gettysburg. You said that Gettysburg gives you a great feeling.

4

If both schools cost the same, I would lean Bucknell – but given the scholarship, I would lean Gettysburg.

Bucknell is slightly more selective and slightly higher ranked. It also has more name recognition, probably because it is larger and has Division I sports. Are these differences worth $26,000 per year? That would depend on your family’s financial situation, but for most people Gettysburg would be the significantly better deal.

The biggest advantage for Bucknell is that you want to study business – and Bucknell has a business school, while Gettysburg doesn’t. However, Gettysburg offers a major in Economics, and a major in Organization & Management Studies, plus a minor in Business. You should check those programs out for yourself, but it’s likely that they will provide sufficient options for business-related study.