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. 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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Bucknell typically demonstrate strong academic preparation with exceptional standardized test performance. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1300 to 1450, with a median of 1389, placing test score performance among the highest we track. The middle 50% of students score between 640-710 on SAT Verbal and 660-740 on SAT Math, indicating balanced strength across both sections. ACT scores range from 31 to 33, with a median of 31, also representing exceptional performance nationally. These test scores rank 133 points higher than the peer median SAT of 1256, demonstrating significantly stronger academic preparation than typical four-year institutions. Students scoring below 1300 SAT or 31 ACT should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. If your scores fall within the 1300-1450 SAT range or 31-33 ACT range, you are academically competitive for admission to Bucknell. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list and developing application strategy.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Bucknell enrolls a student body that reflects the characteristics typical of selective private institutions. The university enrolls 11.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating students from lower-income families represent a smaller share compared to public institutions but align with similar selective private colleges. First-generation students comprise 12.0% of enrollment, reflecting limited representation of students whose parents did not attend college. Transfer students represent just 3.0% of the student body, indicating limited pathways for transfer admission. This composition suggests that Bucknell primarily serves traditional college students from middle and upper-middle-class backgrounds who entered directly from high school. The relatively low shares of Pell-eligible and first-generation students reflect both the selective admissions process and higher costs that may limit accessibility for some student populations. First-generation students should know that 12.0% of enrolled students share their background, while students from lower-income families should consider the 11.1% Pell share when assessing cultural fit and support systems.
Given Bucknell's 32% acceptance rate and high test score requirements, most applicants should have backup options. The alternatives below offer strong outcomes with different admission profiles.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at Bucknell demonstrate strong success in degree completion and academic persistence. 95.8% of freshmen return for sophomore year, significantly above the peer median retention rate of 83.1%, indicating strong student satisfaction and institutional support. 86.2% of students graduate within six years, substantially higher than the peer median completion rate of 70.0%. Pell-eligible students graduate at 91.7%, creating a positive 5.5 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate—an exceptional outcome indicating that lower-income students who attend Bucknell receive strong support for degree completion. This positive Pell gap is unusual among selective institutions and suggests effective support systems for students from different economic backgrounds. Students who gain admission to Bucknell can expect strong institutional support for degree completion and academic success. The high retention and completion rates indicate that students who enroll typically find the academic environment manageable and supportive, while the positive Pell gap demonstrates institutional commitment to supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Similar quality tier in Northeast (#10802 ranked)
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Similar quality tier (#10774 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#10751 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#10837 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#10853 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools