Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Bucknell vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and business programs typically producing higher earnings than liberal arts fields. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Use this data to compare how different majors perform in the labor market after graduation.
Analyzing 21 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that excel across earnings performance, national rankings, and program value at Bucknell.
#22 nationally
$70K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt affordability, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Bucknell University.
Engineering programs demonstrate solid performance with consistent earnings above $78,000 across all specializations. Computer Engineering leads with $87,604 median earnings and ranks #73 nationally, while Mechanical Engineering produces $87,329 earnings at #96 nationally.
Civil Engineering graduates earn $78,184 from the #94 nationally ranked program. All engineering programs achieve excellent debt affordability ratings, with standard 10-year payoff timelines and payments under 8% of discretionary income.
These programs benefit from Bucknell's strong industry connections and rigorous technical preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering, Other.Small sample |
Program outcomes reflect actual labor market results rather than institutional reputation or program prestige. Earnings data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 4 years after completion, while rankings compare performance against all institutions offering the same major. Differences in outcomes occur because career paths vary significantly by field—engineering and business typically produce higher earnings than education or social services, regardless of institutional quality. Value scores incorporate both earnings and debt levels to identify programs offering strong return on investment. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing more stable earnings estimates. These rankings help students understand likely financial outcomes from different academic paths at Bucknell.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| #22 |
| $101,352★ |
| — |
| 18 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #78 | $87,604 | — | 38 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #96 | $87,329 | — | 41 |
| Artificial Intelligence.Small sample | #134 | $81,498 | — | 17 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #98 | $78,184 | — | 29 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #85 | $66,821 | — | 20 |
Business programs at Bucknell deliver exceptional earnings outcomes and strong national rankings. Accounting Technology ranks #7 nationally with median earnings of $93,021, while Business Administration ranks #38 nationally earning $79,711.
Applied Economics, the university's largest program with 127 graduates, ranks #92 nationally but maintains strong earnings at $79,134. Digital Marketing rounds out the business offerings with earnings of $71,936 and ranking #43 nationally.
These programs combine Bucknell's strong alumni networks with quantitative rigor, positioning graduates for high-earning business and finance careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #8 | $93,021★ | — | 56 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #36 | $79,711 | — | 26 |
| Digital Marketing. | #41 | $71,936 | — | 33 |
Science programs demonstrate strong outcomes relative to national benchmarks in their fields. Biology ranks #42 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania with median earnings of $59,793 from 60 graduates.
The program achieves good debt affordability despite lower typical earnings in biological sciences, with early-career earnings growing to support standard loan payoff. Environmental Science ranks #21 nationally with earnings of $63,177 and an impressive value score of 85.2.
These programs serve students well for health professions preparation or graduate study in scientific fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #38 | $59,793 | — | 60 |
Social science programs show varied outcomes, with some achieving exceptional national recognition. American Government and Politics ranks #37 nationally with earnings of $69,853 and graduates 95 students annually, making it one of Bucknell's largest programs.
Applied/Public Sociology ranks #51 nationally with earnings of $54,448, while International Relations ranks #31 nationally earning $68,553. Psychology produces lower earnings at $50,805 but maintains manageable debt levels.
These programs are well-suited for students pursuing public service, policy, or graduate school preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #92 | $79,134★ | $69,467 | 127 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #36 | $69,853 | — | 95 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #34 | $68,553 | — | 21 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #55 | $54,448 | — | 21 |
| Psychology, General. | #120 | $50,805 | — | 46 |
Humanities programs achieve remarkable performance relative to national field standards. Catalan Language and Literature ranks #2 nationally with an exceptional value score of 99.3 and earnings of $69,653.
English Language and Literature ranks #9 nationally with earnings of $60,450, demonstrating Bucknell's strength in preparing liberal arts graduates for diverse career paths. These programs excel at developing critical thinking and communication skills valued across many industries, with graduates often pursuing careers in education, law, media, and business.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #2 | $69,653★ | — | 42 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #7 | $60,450 | — | 27 |
| American History (United States).Small sample | #192 | $42,682 | — | 18 |
| Creative Writing.Small sample | #33 | $41,565 | — | 19 |
Environmental Science stands out as Bucknell's top-performing program in this category, ranking #21 nationally with median earnings of $63,177. The program graduates 21 students annually and achieves an impressive value score of 85.2, indicating strong return on investment.
With excellent debt affordability and earnings that support standard loan repayment, this program serves students interested in environmental policy, sustainability consulting, or graduate study in environmental sciences. The program benefits from Bucknell's liberal arts foundation combined with scientific rigor.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #22 | $63,177 | — | 21 |
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. leads other & interdisciplinary with 63K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.Small sample | — | $63,005 | — | 5 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
