Bucknell combines selective admissions with exceptional long-term earnings outcomes, ranking in the top 2% nationally for graduate earnings. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university delivers outstanding financial returns for graduates while serving primarily traditional college students seeking strong career preparation and professional networking opportunities.
With top-tier performance, driven by exceptional long-term earnings that place graduates among the highest earners nationally
With modestly below-average performance, reflecting higher costs typical of private institutions
With around-the-national-average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students typical of selective private institutions
With above-average performance, indicating solid outcomes for the limited number of low-income students who attend
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisBucknell delivers exceptional earnings outcomes despite modestly below-average performance on earnings beyond expectations. Graduates earn a median of $93,807 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally—among the highest earnings we track.
This places Bucknell $30,741 above the peer median of $63,066, representing a substantial earnings premium. Earnings range from $62,778 at the 25th percentile to $133,223 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across different career paths.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings from a selective private institution, particularly those interested in engineering, business, or economics. Well-suited for traditional college students who can manage higher costs in exchange for exceptional long-term financial outcomes and extensive alumni networks in professional fields.
Bucknell admits approximately 32.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Bucknell in the selective category, making admission competitive but more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights that Bucknell is significantly more selective than typical four-year institutions, with an acceptance rate 38.6 percentage points lower than peer institutions. This selectivity level means that strong academic credentials and well-rounded applications are important for admission success.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Bucknell's published cost of attendance is $79,956 per year, including $64,772 in tuition, $16,118 for room and board, and $900 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $40,429 after financial aid, representing savings of $39,527 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price places Bucknell $13,286 above the peer median of $27,143, reflecting the premium associated with selective private education. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net price demonstrates significant institutional investment in financial aid, though costs remain higher than public alternatives.
Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $21,406 for families earning under $30,000 to $55,354 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure helps make Bucknell more accessible to lower-income families while requiring higher-income families to pay closer to full cost.
The university's position as modestly below average for affordability (3.3rd percentile) reflects these higher costs typical of selective private institutions, though financial aid helps moderate the burden for many families.
Chemical Engineering, Other.
18 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
56 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
38 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
41 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
17 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union College Higher acceptance rate (11.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 44% | $88,604 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Bucknell University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/bucknell-university/analysis.
Top 2% nationally for graduate earnings
Bucknell University ranks #499 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 96.6th percentile—top-tier performance driven by exceptional long-term earnings. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains selective admission standards with a 32.0% acceptance rate while delivering outstanding post-graduation outcomes.
Bucknell enrolls 11.1% Pell-eligible students and 12.0% first-generation students, reflecting lower access compared to public institutions but typical for selective private colleges. Graduates earn a median of $93,807 ten years after enrollment, placing Bucknell in the 98th percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
This exceptional earnings performance, combined with selective admissions and limited low-income access, positions Bucknell as a Selective Achiever—an institution that serves fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Students should view Bucknell as a selective match or reach school and build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates. The combination of moderate selectivity with exceptional post-graduation outcomes makes Bucknell attractive to many qualified applicants, contributing to its competitive admission environment.
Students should prepare strong applications that demonstrate academic readiness for Bucknell's rigorous programs while having realistic backup options given the selective nature of admission.
Bucknell graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and exceptional long-term financial outcomes. Median earnings rise from $78,852 six years after enrollment to $88,483 at eight years and $93,807 at ten years, representing 19.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 550 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $93,807 at the ten-year mark, placing Bucknell in the 98th percentile nationally and among the highest earnings we track.
While graduates earn $6,713 below expectations compared to similar students—ranking at the 26.9th percentile for earnings uplift—the absolute earnings levels remain exceptional. Low-income graduates earn $78,800, ranking in the top 5% nationally, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds who attend.
Earnings span from $62,778 at the 25th percentile to $133,223 at the 75th percentile, a 2.1:1 ratio reflecting variation in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 20.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Bucknell offers 16 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Applied Economics serves as the largest program, graduating 127 students annually and ranking #92 nationally with median earnings of $79,134.
American Government and Politics ranks #37 nationally, graduating 95 students with median earnings of $69,853 and achieving a strong value score of 87.8. Accounting Technology ranks #7 nationally with median earnings of $93,021 from a cohort of 56 graduates.
Biology ranks #42 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, graduating 60 students with median earnings of $59,793. Catalan Language and Literature ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Pennsylvania, graduating 42 students with median earnings of $69,653 and an exceptional value score of 99.3.
Engineering programs include Mechanical Engineering (#96 nationally) and Computer Engineering (#73 nationally), both producing strong earnings outcomes above $87,000.
George Washington University Higher acceptance rate (11.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
Lafayette College Same state (89 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | PA | 31% | $91,410 | Compare |
Binghamton University Same region (92 miles away) (earnings difference: 14.1%) and similar program focus | NY | 38% | $80,596 | Compare |
Lehigh University Same state (82 miles away) (earnings difference: 12.6%); same institution type | PA | 29% | $105,584 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elmhurst University Similar quality tier (#500 ranked) | IL | 76% | $61,462 | #500 | Compare |
Kenyon College Similar quality tier (#498 ranked) | OH | 31% | $71,830 | #498 | Compare |
Fordham University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#506 ranked) | NY | 56% | $85,569 | #506 | Compare |
Houston Christian University Similar quality tier (#495 ranked) | TX | 85% | $55,933 | #495 | Compare |
Franklin And Marshall College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#508 ranked) | PA | 32% | $76,124 | #508 | Compare |
