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Bucknell University vs Haverford College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lewisburg PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Haverford PA

The verdict

Haverford College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,256 in 3.2 years versus 3.6 years at Bucknell University, on median earnings of $79,966 vs $93,807 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBucknell UniversityHaverford College
Net price / yr$40,766$25,314
Total net cost$163,064$101,256
Median earnings, 10 yrs$93,807$79,966
Median debt$27,000$13,621
Payback3.6 yrs3.2 yrs
20-year net return$745,876$530,864

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bucknell University or Haverford College?

Haverford College, at $25,314 a year after aid versus $40,766 — a gap of $15,452 a year, or $61,808 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bucknell University or Haverford College graduates earn more?

Bucknell University graduates report a median $93,807 ten years after entry, $13,841 more than the $79,966 at Haverford College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Bucknell University or Haverford College?

Haverford College: its completers carry a median $13,621 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Bucknell University, a difference of $13,379. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Haverford College, against 86% at Bucknell University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bucknell University vs Haverford College: frequently asked questions

Is Bucknell University or Haverford College a better value?
Haverford College. It clears its $101,256 net cost in about 3.2 years versus 3.6 years at Bucknell University, on median earnings of $79,966 vs $93,807 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bucknell University or Haverford College?
Haverford College: $25,314/yr net price after aid versus $40,766/yr at Bucknell University — a difference of $15,452 a year, or about $61,808 over four years.
Do Bucknell University or Haverford College graduates earn more?
Bucknell University graduates earn a median $93,807 ten years after entry, versus $79,966 at Haverford College — a $13,841 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.