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Bucknell University

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Town · 3,876 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · bucknell.edu
$40,766
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
86%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$93,807
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
29%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Bucknell University is a premier, undergraduate-focused institution known for seamlessly integrating a traditional liberal arts foundation with top-tier professional programs. The university is particularly distinguished by the rare presence of an ABET-accredited College of Engineering and the AACSB-accredited Freeman College of Management within a small, personalized academic setting, giving undergraduates immediate access to high-level research and faculty mentorship. Student life is spirited, collaborative, and deeply residential, characterized by an active Greek life community, competitive NCAA Division I athletics, and strong alumni loyalty centered in central Pennsylvania’s scenic Susquehanna River Valley.

Wikipedia:Bucknell University is a private liberal-arts college in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1846 as the University at Lewisburg, it consists of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Freeman College of Management, and the College of Engineering. It offers 65 majors and 70 minors in the sciences and humanities. Located just south of Lewisburg, the 445-acre (1.80 km2) campus rises above the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

Location
Lewisburg, PA, 17837 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ABE · Lehigh Valley
78 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$67,812
Housing & food (on campus)$16,924
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$95,580
Average net price$40,766
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$67,812
Housing & food (on campus)$16,924
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$95,580
Average net price$40,766
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bucknell.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Bucknell University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$72,600
Fees$900
Housing$11,400
Food$6,980
Books & supplies$900
Personal expenses$2,000
Transportation$800
Total published by the school$95,580
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$20,980
$30–48k
$12,276
$48–75k
$23,679
$75–110k
$28,165
$110k+
$55,724
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$20,060
First-years who got one121
Source: Bucknell University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
86%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
82%
Back for yr 2
94%
Transferred
6%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
88% graduated · 11% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$78,852
10 yrs after entry$93,807
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$14.9k–$27k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
29%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1410
R 650–730 · M 660–740
ACT midpoint
31
Comp 30–33 · E 31–35 · M 27–32
SAT middle 50%: 1310–1470
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days · Early Decision I Deadline
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 10 2027
binding in 100 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 10 2027
in 100 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · bucknell.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If Bucknell University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
12%
First-gen
12%
Family income
$107,136
Independent
2%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
73%
Hispanic
9%
Black
4%
Asian
4%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$78,852
After 10 yrs
$93,807
Economics121
Political Science and Government87
Biology, General75
Psychology, General71
Accounting and Related Services70
Mechanical Engineering46
Computer Engineering35
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics32
Marketing32
Sociology29
Natural Resources Conservation and Research27
Computer and Information Sciences, General24
Civil Engineering24
International Relations and National Security Studies24
Chemical Engineering23
English Language and Literature, General23
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.2B
Full-time faculty
97%
Faculty salary
$13,254/mo
Teaching spend
$24,614
per student
Federal loans
35%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$6M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Bucknell University is the right fit for you?

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