Students at Bucknell University achieve some of the strongest long-term financial outcomes in American higher education, with graduates consistently reaching the top tier of earners nationwide.
The university's combination of rigorous academics, powerful alumni networks, and strategic career preparation translates into exceptional earning potential that justifies the premium investment.
Bucknell University delivers some of the strongest long-term financial outcomes among all colleges and universities nationwide, ranking in the top 3% for graduate earnings. What makes Bucknell distinctive is its combination of liberal arts breadth with pre-professional focus, producing graduates who consistently achieve exceptional career success across fields like economics, engineering, and business. Nearly 87% of students graduate within six years, and those who do go on to earn a median of $93,807 ten years after enrollment.
The university's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for high-earning careers while maintaining the close-knit community and personalized attention of a medium-sized institution. With just 11% of students receiving Pell Grants, Bucknell serves a predominantly affluent student body, but this selectivity contributes to powerful alumni networks and employer relationships that benefit graduates throughout their careers.
As a highly selective private university in Pennsylvania, Bucknell represents a significant financial investment for families, with high-income students paying around $55,354 annually. However, for families who can manage these costs, the return on investment is exceptional, with graduates consistently outperforming national earnings benchmarks and achieving financial success that justifies the premium price point.
Bucknell's program portfolio reflects a strategic blend of liberal arts breadth with pre-professional focus that consistently produces strong career outcomes. Applied Economics leads in aggregate impact, combining solid enrollment of 127 students with respectable median earnings of $55,102, making it a cornerstone program that balances accessibility with financial returns. American Government and Politics, with 95 graduates, demonstrates how even traditionally liberal arts fields can lead to strong outcomes at $52,941 median earnings, likely reflecting the university's strong placement in government, law, and public policy careers.
Engineering programs showcase Bucknell's technical excellence, with Computer Engineering graduates earning $87,604 median despite smaller cohort sizes of 38 students. This premium reflects the university's ability to compete with top technical institutions while maintaining its liberal arts character. Even Biology, typically a lower-earning field at $26,933 median, benefits from Bucknell's pre-professional preparation and likely serves as a pathway to medical school and other graduate programs.
The university's strength lies not just in individual program quality but in the comprehensive career preparation and alumni networks that benefit graduates across all fields. Whether students pursue economics, engineering, or liberal arts, they gain access to the same powerful network of successful alumni and employer relationships that drive exceptional long-term earning outcomes throughout their careers.
Bucknell University graduates achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the very best in the country for financial outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $93,807, ranking in the top 3% nationally and reflecting the university's ability to prepare students for high-paying careers in finance, consulting, engineering, and other lucrative fields. The university's strong alumni networks and employer relationships contribute significantly to these outstanding earnings outcomes.
Program-level outcomes vary considerably but trend toward strong financial returns. Applied Economics stands out as both popular and financially rewarding, with 127 graduates earning a median of $55,102 ten years out, making it the highest aggregate return program. Computer Engineering delivers the strongest individual earnings at $87,604 median, while American Government and Politics, despite being one of the largest programs with 95 graduates, produces solid outcomes at $52,941 median earnings. Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Biology show the Bucknell advantage, though at $26,933 median earnings, these graduates may need to pursue graduate school for optimal financial outcomes.
The university's liberal arts foundation combined with pre-professional preparation creates graduates who are well-positioned for career advancement and long-term earning growth. Strong early-career placement in competitive industries, coupled with extensive alumni networks in major metropolitan areas, helps explain why Bucknell graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed national averages by substantial margins.
Bucknell University represents a significant financial investment, with affordability challenges that reflect its positioning as a highly selective private institution. Low-income students pay around $21,406 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs of approximately $20,932 per year. However, high-income families face the full financial impact, with net prices reaching $55,354 annually, placing Bucknell among the more expensive private universities nationwide.
Debt levels reflect these high costs, with typical graduates carrying $27,000 in federal student loans and families often supplementing with Parent PLUS loans averaging $60,058. The combination creates substantial total borrowing for many families, though Bucknell's exceptional graduate earnings help justify these higher debt levels. With a 0% federal loan default rate and strong loan repayment patterns, graduates demonstrate their ability to service debt effectively, supported by the university's outstanding career outcomes.
The financial model works best for families who can manage significant upfront costs or are comfortable with higher borrowing levels in exchange for exceptional long-term returns. While affordability ranks in the bottom 6% nationally, the investment typically pays dividends through superior career placement, alumni networks, and lifetime earning potential that can offset the higher initial costs over time.
Bucknell University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
