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Bucknell University

Private

Lewisburg, PA

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Located in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private mid-sized school with roughly 3,876 undergraduates. Admissions are selective here -- roughly 29% of applicants get in. Engineering graduates, especially in Computer Engineering, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $156,885/year. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate29%
SAT range1310–1470
ACT range30–33
Undergrads3,876
Yield (admits who enroll)27%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$83,756
4-year grad rate86%
Median earnings, 10yr out$93,807

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Bucknell University's numbers?

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How Bucknell University weighs your application

From Bucknell University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesVery important
Talent/abilityVery important
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceImportant
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Bucknell University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans35%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out90%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$85,687/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$130,990/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$122,651/yr
Engineering
Computer Engineering$156,885/yr
Mechanical Engineering$99,860/yr
Chemical Engineering$99,536/yr
Civil Engineering$95,693/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$49,785/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$76,364/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$66,963/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$66,206/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$108,422/yr
Political Science and Government$94,028/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$90,393/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity3,406
Typical room charge$9,490
Typical board charge$5,868

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Bucknell University look for in applicants?

Per Bucknell University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Bucknell University's acceptance rate?

Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA admits approximately 29% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Bucknell University?

Admitted students at Bucknell University typically score between 1310–1470 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Bucknell University?

Admitted students at Bucknell University typically score between 30–33 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Bucknell University cost?

Bucknell University's total cost of attendance is reported at $83,756 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Bucknell University?

Bucknell University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Bucknell University require students to live on campus?

No -- Bucknell University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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