Bucknell University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- 11,561
- Applicants
- 3,723
- Admitted32%
- 1,037
- Enrolled
- 28%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Selective32% admittedRanked #29 in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Business Programs #129 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #8, Computer Science #141 (tie), Economics #140 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Bucknell University (see the source), read on 2026-09-12.
Is Bucknell University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Bucknell University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Bucknell University is a private nonprofit university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania that admits about 32% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $40,766 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 85% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Bucknell University is a private institution located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Bucknell University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 32%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1270 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $40,766 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Bucknell University?
62% of enrolled students at Bucknell University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.58, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does Bucknell University weight in admissions?
Bucknell University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
6- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
- Application essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Important
2- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Considered
7- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
2- Interview
- State residency
SAT and ACT scores Bucknell University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1170 |
| 50th percentile | 1270 |
| 75th percentile | 1360 |
| % submitting SAT | 68% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 18% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional pilot extended through the 2026-27 cycle; enrolling students must send an SAT/ACT score if they have one. Policy after 2026-27 not yet announced.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Bucknell University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 56% |
| Top 25% of class | 85% |
| Top 50% of class | 98% |
| % submitting class rank | 18% |
How much does Bucknell University actually cost?
Published tuition is $67,812 for in-state students and $67,812 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,924 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $40,766 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 12% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $72,600 |
| Room and board | $18,380 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $40,766 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 93% |
| Average need-based grant | $51,981 |
| Average merit award, no financial need121 first-year students received one | $20,060 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 44% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $43,060 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Bucknell University
| Regular deadline | 1/10 |
| Notification date | 1-Apr |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 10 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 55% |
Will my child graduate from Bucknell University?
These predict outcomes at Bucknell University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Bucknell University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Bucknell University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Bucknell University confers roughly 555 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $101,580 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 133 | $101,580 |
| Political Science and Government | 97 | $87,169 |
| Psychology, General | 93 | $61,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 74 | $121,826 |
| Biology, General | 64 | $72,196 |
| Marketing | 36 | $98,141 |
| Computer Engineering | 32 | $140,705 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 26 | n/a |
Is Bucknell University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Bucknell University disclosed 22 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 20 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Bucknell University?
About 88% of undergraduates at Bucknell University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 30% of men join a fraternity and 45% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about
Next steps for Bucknell University
Common questions parents ask about Bucknell University
What GPA do I need for Bucknell University?
62% of enrolled students at Bucknell University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.58, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Bucknell University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33.
How much does Bucknell University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Bucknell University after grants and scholarships is $40,766 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $67,812. Budget against the net figure.
Is Bucknell University realistic for my child?
Bucknell University admits 32% of applicants, so 660–740 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $40,766 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Bucknell University?
Bucknell University accepts about 32% of applicants out of roughly 11,561 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Bucknell University test-optional?
Yes. Bucknell University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Bucknell University?
About 85% of students at Bucknell University graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Bucknell University?
Bucknell University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 55%, compared with its overall rate of 32%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Bucknell University look for in applicants?
Bucknell University rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Bucknell University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Bucknell University is a private nonprofit institution located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
What are the most popular majors at Bucknell University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Bucknell University by annual graduates are Economics, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General. The school awards about 555 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Bucknell University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Bucknell University reported 22 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Bucknell University?
At Bucknell University, 88% of undergraduates live on campus, 30% of men are in fraternities, 45% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Bucknell University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers