Bucknell University

Bucknell operates through three distinct colleges: Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and the Freeman College of Management. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary flexibility—students can major in English and pursue med school, or study engineering while preparing for management roles.

• Standout programs: Engineering (particularly mechanical and electrical) and management are nationally ranked, but the liberal arts core is equally robust, with strong departments in humanities and social sciences.
• Faculty access: With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, professors are notably accessible. Students praise their dedication to teaching while maintaining active research profiles.
• Unusual offerings: Bucknell encourages unconventional academic paths, like combining anthropology with filmmaking or pairing music with pre-med tracks.

Life at Bucknell revolves around a vibrant but insular campus culture in rural Lewisburg. The social scene is dominated by Greek life (about 40% participation), though alternatives exist through 150+ clubs. Students describe the vibe as 'moderate' politically, with many peers 'politically unaware/uninterested'.

• Safety: 95% of students report feeling 'extremely safe' on campus.
• Diversity: The student body is ~80% white, a frequent critique in student discussions.
• Traditions: From 'First Night' celebrations to the annual 'Bucknellian' student newspaper roast, traditions foster community.
• Athletics: Division I sports (Patriot League) are popular, especially basketball, though not as central as at larger schools.

Bucknell boasts strong post-graduation outcomes, with 91% of students earning degrees within six years (well above national averages). Within nine months of graduation, 94% of the Class of 2025 secured employment or graduate school placements.

• Salaries: Average starting salary is $70,000+, with engineering and management grads commanding higher figures.
• Notable alumni: Bucknell has produced CEOs (DuPont, PepsiCo), Pulitzer winners, and NASA engineers.
• Graduate schools: Top destinations include Columbia, Penn, and Georgetown for law/business; Johns Hopkins and UPenn for medicine.

At $70,576 for tuition/fees, Bucknell is among the pricier private colleges, but 55% of students receive financial aid, reducing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $38,486.

• Average aid package: $52,500 (combining grants, scholarships, and loans).
• Merit scholarships: Available but competitive; most aid is need-based.
• Hidden costs: Students report spending $2,800+ annually on books, travel, and personal expenses.

Bucknell delivers a rare hybrid: the intimate mentorship of a liberal arts college with the professional pipelines of a larger university. Its engineering/liberal arts integration is particularly distinctive—unlike tech-focused institutes, Bucknell engineers often double-major in humanities. The rural campus fosters intense community bonds, for better (95% feel safe) or worse (some call it a 'bubble'). While the social scene leans Greek and homogeneous, students who thrive here value close professor relationships and unusually flexible career pathways—whether that's a philosophy major turned Wall Street analyst or a biomedical engineer turned documentary filmmaker.