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Bucknell University

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University Guide

About Bucknell University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Bucknell University is a private liberal art and professional university at Lewisburg, Central Pennsylvania, USA, and includes three major colleges - college of Arts and Science, College of Engineering, and Freeman College of Management. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is imparting quality education through a plethora of programs for more than 170 years. It is one of the top ten most beautiful campuses in the USA.

Bucknell is mainly renowned for its outstanding undergraduate Engineering courses and is ranked among top ten engineering schools in the USA. Bucknell is based on values like honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

Bucknell university campus

With a selection rate of around 34%, the university is quite selective. With a small student size of 20 per class, a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, and highly qualified teachers with 99% of the faculty being Ph.D scholars, the university tries to impart the best possible knowledge with hand-on practical research experience.

Bucknell University Rankings

  • Bucknell University received 6th rank among the UG Engineering colleges in the USA by US News ranking survey.
  • Receiving the first rank, it is the best college for studying UG in Biomedical engineering in America, according to US News.
  • It also received 2nd rank in Civil, 3rd rank in both Computer Science and ECE, and 4th rank in Mechanical Engineering.
  • It is ranked 35th among the National Liberal Arts Colleges in the USA by US News and 26th in the same category by Niche.

Highlights

College Type Private
Campus Setting Rural
Endowment 851 million USD
Student Retention Rate 92%
Work-study program yes
Mode of Program Full time; Part-time; online
Campus Housing Capacity 91%
Annual cost of Attendance 70,525 USD
Admission Helpdesk [email protected];
570 577-3000

Bucknell University Campus

  • Started in 1846, the university was first named as the University at Lewisburg. In 1886, it was given its current name in the honor of a major benefactor, William Bucknell.
  • The lush green campus of the university is stretched over 450 acres of land. The campus provides access to more than 100 facilities.
  • For athletic students, the campus contains fitness centers, an Olympic-size pool, an 18-hole golf course, and a sports pavilion.
  • The on-campus Bertrand library gives access to around 665,000 books. It also gives access to hundreds of online articles.
  • About 98% of the campus has access to the university's high-speed wi-fi and wireless network.
  • The University and its alumni have 29 clubs throughout the world.

Bucknell University Residence

  • More than 90% of the current undergraduate students live in 9 residential colleges and 12 small themed apartments built across the campus.
  • The residential colleges are reserved for the first-year students only, while the themed apartments are open for all the students.
  • Most of the residential halls are doubles and are fully furnished. Some of them also contain amenities like air-conditioners, TV, elevators, microwaves, and laundry facilities.
  • Senior students have the facility of selecting their own roommates.
  • The university campus provides 8 different dining locations, including cafes, take-out windows, food truck and dining halls.
  • For a more independent stay, students can opt for off-campus housing options in the USA with similar amenities that too at more affordable rates.

Bucknell University Programs

  • The University provides courses in 60 majors and 70 minors.
  • The degrees offered include Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Management, BS-MS Dual degree in engineering, among others.
  • The UG Engineering programs of the university have received very high rankings. The most highly ranked majors include B.S in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, ECE, and Mechanical Engineering.
  • The most enrolled majors include Accounting and Finance, Economics, Biology, Psychology, and Geography, among others.
  • The unique Writing Across the Curriculum program trains students from each and every department of the university in various writing skills.

Bucknell University Application Process

Students looking forward to gaining admission into Bucknell University must note down the following important points:

  • Application Portal: Common App and Coalition app (both links are available on the university website)
  • Application Fee: USD 40
  • Student Class profile:
    • Total number of Applicants: 9,845; Number of Students Selected: 3,370; Number of Students Enrolled: 964
    • Total Number of International Students: 250 (approximately)
  • High school/college GPA required: Undergraduate: No Specifications, Graduate: 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
  • Documents and standardized tests required:
    • SAT scores or equivalent ACT scores (mandatory for UG courses)
    • GRE scores or GMAT scores as per the program requirement
    • A statement of finances
    • High school transcripts / graduation transcripts / mid-year reports.
    • 1 LOR from a school counselor/head of the school.
    • Passport
    • Additionally, students from non-English speaking countries need to prove proficiency in English by providing one of the following test scores:
Test Name Undergraduate Graduate
TOEFL iBT 100 100
TOEFL pen paper 600 600
IELTS 7 7
  • Graduation rate: 83% student retention rate: 92%
  • Application Deadline: January 15

Bucknell University Cost of Attendance 

On average, students enrolled at Bucknell University need to incur the following expenses every academic year.

Type of Expense Cost for one year in USD
Tuition Fees 59,990
Housing Cost 8,955
Meal Charges 5,730
Activity Fee 325
Books and Supplies 900
Health Insurance 2,250
Other Fees and expenses 1,750
Total Cost of one year 79,900

Bucknell University International Scholarships

  • The international students need to fill the ISFAA application to apply for various types of financial aid.
  • Bucknell University provides both need-based and a few merit based scholarship to the international students, some of which are as follows:
Scholarship Name Category Eligibility Benefits in USD
Arts Merit Scholarship Merit-Based Pursuing selected Arts majors  2,500 to 20,000
Bucknell Women in Science and Engineering Scholarship Merit Based Women pursuing major in science and engineering 20,000
  • However, financial aid opportunities for international students are very limited and competitive.
  • In view of this, one can look for external scholarships for international students in the USA that are offered based on different eligibility criteria.

Bucknell University Alumni

  • Bucknell has around 54,000 alumni all around the world.
  • The Bucknell university alumni get the following benefits:
    • They get access to the Bucknell alumni App.
    • They get exclusive discounts on Hersheypark Tickets, Bookstores, prestigious Princeton Club membership,
    • They also get access to library resources and special events of the university.
  • Some of the notable alumni of the university are Philip Milton Roth,Leslie Roy Moonves, Kenneth Gerard Langone Sr., Robert Ernest Andrews, among others.

Bucknell University Placements

  • According to the university factsheet, 96% of the alumni get employed within 9 months of graduation.
  • According to university statistics, the mean starting salary of Bucknell alumni is USD 59,628.
  • The university conducts on-campus employer expo, Engineering career and network events, and participates in many career fairs to provide good employment opportunities to its students.
Courses & Fees

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Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

56

Fee from

₹61,15,724.34

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 46 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 60.3 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 64,418 /Yr
Estimated Total₹84267
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

With an acceptance rate of mere 34%, Bucknell University has a very competitive admission policy. In the recent Fall admissions, the university saw a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,695 students. Bucknell University has also been ranked #38 in National Liberal Arts Colleges in the Best Colleges edition.

Bucknell University is organised into three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. More than 100 degree programs are offered at Bucknell University for international students to choose from. Students can follow the Early and Regular decision deadlines to start their application process at the university. Exams to study in the US, excellent academic scores are some prerequisites for the admission process. Bucknell University has currently waived off the 50 USD application fee for applicants.

Check Student reviews of Bucknell University

Bucknell University Admission Deadlines

Undergraduate admissions applications can be submitted before the early decision deadline or after the normal decision deadline. The following table lists the deadlines:

Rounds Date
Early Decision I November 15
Early Decision II January 15
Regular Decision April 1

Bucknell University International Admissions

More than 250 international students attend Bucknell University. These students come from more than 50 nations throughout the world. Students can apply through the common application or Bucknell’s University online application.

Application Portal: Common Application or Coalition Application or Bucknell University Online Application
Application Fee: 40 USD
Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts of high school
  • Essay
  • Form for an Early Decision Agreement (for early decision applicants)
  • Photocopy of a biography photo page
  • Financial Statement
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Proof of English language proficiency

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If English is not an applicant's first language, he or she is required to submit test results demonstrating competency in the language. In addition, the student must have scored higher than the university's minimum predicted score.

The following is a list of tests that Bucknell University accepts, along with the minimum score required:

Tests Scores Required
TOEFL IBT 100
TOEFL PBT 600
IELTS 7.0 (overall)
PTE 68
Duolingo 120

US International Student Visa Requirements

To support the admission as a student or scholar at Bucknell, International Student Services at the university provides F-1 or J-1 forms to students for visa to study in the US. All matters relating to students, as well as the majority of scholar immigration papers, are handled by International Student Services. The following steps must be followed to get hold of a US visa, after receiving the acceptance letter:

  • Payment of a 500 USD enrollment deposit
  • Passport updating after receiving the I-20 (if required)
  • Payment of the 350 USD SEVIS I-901 fee
  • Making arrangements for the visa interview

Bucknell University Undergraduate Admissions

Around 3,600 undergraduate students study at Bucknell University. Applicants can apply to any one of the 3 colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Freeman College of Management. Applications for all the three colleges are the same. The application form can be initiated in two ways: through the common and coalition applications.

Application Portal: Common Application or Coalition Application
Application Fee: 40 USD
Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Average GPA of 3.58
  • SAT/ACT scores (optional)
  • Essay
  • Form for an Early Decision Agreement (for early decision applicants)

Bucknell University Graduate Admissions

Graduate degrees at Bucknell University are available in a variety of subjects, including biology, animal behaviour, chemical engineering, education, mathematics, English, and electrical engineering, among others. The graduate admission process is quite similar to that of undergraduate admission process, only some additional requirements are needed.

Application Portal: Online Graduate Application
Application Fee: 50 USD
Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Average GPA of 3.58
  • SAT/ACT scores (optional)
  • Essay
  • Form for an Early Decision Agreement (for early decision applicants)
  • Interview
  • GRE/GMAT scores
  • Sample writing

Some top graduate programs offered at Bucknell University include:

Requirement Master of Science in Animal Behavior Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Master of Science in Biology Master of Arts in English Master of Science in Mathematics
GPA Required A minimum GPA of 3.0 Minimum GPA of 3.4 GPA of 3.0 GPA of 3.0 . GPA of 3.3
Academic Requirements Core biology and statistics courses A master's degree in chemical engineering Graduate thesis Eight or more undergraduate biology courses Major in English Real analysis and probability or abstract algebra proficiency
GRE Scores Required Required Required Required Not Essential
Sample Writing Not Required Not Required Not Required Required Not Required
Recommendation Letter Not Required Required Not Required Not Required Not Required
Interview Not Required Not Required Not Required Essentially Required Not Required
Essay Not Required Not Required Not Required Essentially Required Not Required

49% of classes at Bucknell University have fewer than 20 students, making academics high reachable and enriching. The average freshman retention rate is 92 percent, which is a good sign of student satisfaction. All the students must pay a non-refundable fee of 500USD as enrollment deposit upon admission. Official test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university. It must be noted that it takes 2-4 weeks for the scores to reach the university. Study abroad students should start a visa application as early as possible to avoid further delays.

FAQs

Ques. What are the average standardized test scores for students at Bucknell University?

The average range for standardized test scores for the upcoming class of 2024 was:

  • SAT R Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 620-700
  • SAT R Math: 630-700
  • ACT: 29-32

Now Bucknell University has become test optional which means applicants can decide if they want to include SAT Score or ACT Score while they are applying for their desired course.

Ques. Is it possible for the students studying at Bucknell University to study abroad for the spring session?

All study abroad programmes for Spring have been discontinued. Students who are unable to participate in the Spring study abroad opportunities will have the option of having their application forwarded to a future study abroad term through the Office of Global & Off-Campus Education.

Ques. Are the Advanced placement scores credit given to students at Bucknell University?

Yes, students who achieve a 3, 4, or 5 on their Advanced Placement Program exam at Bucknell University may be eligible for Bucknell credit.

Ques. Is it possible to postpone enrollment at Bucknell University after being accepted?

Yes, students can postpone enrollment for one to two years after being accepted to Bucknell University. However, students will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to maintain their spot reserved.

Placements & Recruiters

Bucknell University Placement Details

Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States.

Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2019

Highlights
2019
  • Best overall country rank: #66
  • Overall: #66 in country
  • Top source: FORBES
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 2 ranking records in 2019

2020

Highlights
2020
  • Best overall country rank: #190
  • Overall: #190 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2020

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #190
  • Overall: #190 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #194
  • Overall: #194 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2022

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #193
  • Overall: #193 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2025

Contact Information

Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-577-3000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

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