Bucknell University's published cost of attendance is $83,756. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $20,980, middle-income families pay around $23,679, and higher-income families pay approximately $55,724.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $83,756 |
| Tuition and Fees | $67,812 |
| Room and Board | $16,924 |
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$42,990 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $40,766 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $20,980 |
| $30–48k | $12,276 |
| $48–75k | $23,679 |
| $75–110k | $28,165 |
| $110k+ | $55,724 |
Bucknell University's published cost of attendance is $83,756. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $20,980, middle-income families pay around $23,679, and higher-income families pay approximately $55,724. Azimuth ranks Bucknell University #1392 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Bucknell's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed to meet demonstrated financial need. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $62,750; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $96,035, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $96,035, placing Bucknell University in the 93.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $10,216 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Bucknell University in the 86.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Bucknell University #42 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at Bucknell University is anchored by Economics, which combines strong cohort scale with high four-year earnings and serves as the institution's highest aggregate-return program. The Economics program graduates 133 students with median earnings of $108,422 four years after enrollment; Azimuth ranks the program #47 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , at 1.3x the national benchmark for the field. Political Science and Psychology, General also deliver strong outcomes, with Azimuth ranking Political Science #13 and Psychology, General #31 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, respectively. The dominant program family is Social Sciences, which accounts for 26% of degree output and drives much of the institution's earnings profile; Engineering (at 14%) and Business (at 12%) round out the program mix, reflecting a broad liberal arts foundation with meaningful concentrations in quantitative and professional fields.
