Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
Please select whichever best describes you for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.
I’m a high school student I’m a college or graduate student
100% Free. No Spam.
    Start typing in the text field above
    B

    Bucknell University

    bucknell.edu Black Arrow Icon
    Advertiser disclosure

    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

    Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

    Overview

    Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. There are currently 3,732 undergraduates at Bucknell and the school’s acceptance rate is 33%. The tuition at Bucknell is $61,746.

    Bucknell University
    Liberal Arts Liberal Arts
    Liberal Arts colleges offer great opportunities for students to decide what they want to study. A Liberal Arts education is typically well-rounded and produces graduates who have a solid understanding of many topics. These schools tend to be smaller than universities.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $80,170

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $37,972

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $42,198

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $61,746
    Books & Supplies
    $900
    Room & Board
    $15,358
    Other
    $2,166

    Estimated Cost:

    $80,170

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Bucknell is $80,170. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Bucknell would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Bucknell University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Bucknell need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Bucknell is 003238 and the CSS Profile Code is 2050.


    It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Using State Grants at Bucknell

    Pennsylvania residents considering Bucknell should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:

    • Energy
    • Health
    • Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
    • Agriculture and Food Production

    Pell Grants at Bucknell University

    10% of students at Bucknell University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Bucknell University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Bucknell students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Bucknell University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Bucknell or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    33%

    Admission Rate

    31

    Average ACT

    1356 is the median SAT score and 31 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Bucknell. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Coalition Colleges

    Bucknell is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Bucknell via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

    Is Bucknell test-optional?

    Bucknell University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Bucknell University?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Bucknell University receive between a 30 and a 33 on their ACT, or a 1280 and a 1455 on their SAT.

    November
    15

    Early Decision I

    January
    15

    Early Decision II

    January
    15

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Bucknell?

    Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Bucknell during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Bucknell students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Bucknell?

    Applying to Bucknell with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 87%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Social Sciences

    24%

    24% of graduates

    Engineering

    17%

    17% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    17%

    17% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    13%

    13% of graduates

    Psychology

    9%

    9% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 3,732

    Pell Grant 10%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 0%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%

    Percent Male / Female 48% / 52%

    Ethnic Diversity at Bucknell

    76% White

    7% Hispanic

    5% International / Non-Citizen

    5% Asian / Pacific Islander

    4% Black

    4% Multiracial

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $93,807

    Median Debt $27,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $286

    Graduation Rate 87%

    What is the graduation rate at Bucknell University?

    87% of students who start at Bucknell University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 29% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Bucknell University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Bucknell University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $93,807. This is $43,416 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Bucknell take out in loans?

    Graduates of Bucknell have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    Get Started

    Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

    3 reasons to join scholarships360

    • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
    • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
    • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

    By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

    Join For Free