Bucknell University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Bucknell University is a private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 34%. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Bucknell has the feel of a small liberal arts college with the course offerings of a comprehensive university. The engineering program is worth a close look, and the university's strengths in the liberal arts and sciences have earned it a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. In athletics, the Bucknell University Bisons compete in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Popular sports include soccer, field hockey, football, and track and field.

Considering applying to Bucknell University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Bucknell University had an acceptance rate of 34%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 34 students were admitted, making Bucknell's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with the 2019-20 admissions cycle, Bucknell introduced a 5-year test-optional policy. Applicants during this period may submit SAT or ACT scores, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 72% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Bucknell's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Bucknell scored between 620 and 700, while 25% scored below 620 and 25% scored above 700. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 635 and 730, while 25% scored below 635 and 25% scored above 730. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1430 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Bucknell.

Requirements

Note that home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international students are required to submit standardized test scores. For students who submit scores, Bucknell does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Bucknell participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with the 2019-20 admissions cycle, Bucknell introduced a 5-year test-optional policy. Applicants during this period may submit SAT or ACT scores, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 36% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Bucknell's admitted students fall within the top 12% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Bucknell received a composite ACT score between 28 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 28.

Requirements

Note that home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international students are required to submit standardized test scores. Bucknell does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. For students who submit scores, Bucknell does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Bucknell's incoming freshmen class was 3.58, and over 34% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. This information suggests that most successful applicants to Bucknell have primarily A and high B grades

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Bucknell University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Bucknell University has a competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores. However, Bucknell has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Bucknell also requires several supplemental essays. Applicants should make sure to use these essays to convey your unique qualities and interests. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside of Bucknell's average range.

Students applying to Bucknell must apply to one of three colleges: The College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, or the Freeman College of Management. All applicants must have two years of a single foreign language and at least two and a half years of college preparatory math.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of successful applicants had high school grades in the "A" range, combined SAT scores of 1250 or higher (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 27 or better.

If You Like Bucknell University, You May Also Like These Schools

• Colgate University
• Boston College
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Richmond
• Princeton University
• Duke University
• Dartmouth College
• Tufts University
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of Virginia
• Drexel University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bucknell University Undergraduate Admissions Office.