Bucknell University acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

Lewisburg, PA · private · 3,876 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 32.2% Fall 2025 · ↑3.3 pts
SAT, middle 50% ~1310–1470 Enrolled, Fall 2024 · approximate
Tests, 2026–27 Test-optional From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Bucknell's admissions site.

Chances at Bucknell
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Target
43–73%
  • Your SAT 1500 is above the middle 50% of enrolled students (about 1310–1470).
  • Bucknell admits 32.2% of applicants overall.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-optional for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

Bucknell acceptance rate by year

3,723 of 11,561 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 28.9% for Fall 2024.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 201520172019202120232025 32.2%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202511,5613,72332.2%Common Data Set
Fall 202411,3773,29128.9%IPEDS
Fall 202311,0103,52432.0%IPEDS
Fall 202211,7073,81132.6%IPEDS
Fall 202111,2633,88634.5%IPEDS
Fall 20209,8903,71237.5%IPEDS
Fall 20199,8453,37034.2%IPEDS
Fall 201810,1443,35233.0%IPEDS
Fall 201710,2533,18731.1%IPEDS
Fall 201610,4873,13829.9%IPEDS
Fall 201510,9672,71824.8%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

Bucknell deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with Common App or Coalition App (Scoir). Checked October 24, 2026 on Bucknell's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Early decision Apply by Decisions Early December
  2. Early decision II Apply by Decisions Mid-February
  3. Regular decision Apply by Decisions Mid-March
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Early rounds

Early decision and early action at Bucknell

Early decision 54.7% 656 of 1,200 · Fall 2025
Overall 32.2% All applicants · Fall 2025

Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant. Early decision is binding: apply only if you would enroll.

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at Bucknell

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

SAT, middle 50% ~1310–1470
400Fall 20241600

Approximate: reading and math ranges added.

ACT, middle 50% 30–33
1Enrolled, Fall 202436
Average high school GPA 3.58
As reported, 100% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.08.0%
  • 3.75–3.9927.1%
  • 3.50–3.7427.3%
  • 3.25–3.4922.5%
  • 3.00–3.2411.3%
  • 2.50–2.993.5%
  • Below 2.500.4%

What counts

What Bucknell weighs

From section C7 of Bucknell's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Essays
  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character

Important

  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Considered

  • Class rank
  • Test scores
  • First-generation status
  • Alumni relation
  • Where you live
  • Religious affiliation
  • Demonstrated interest

Not considered

  • Interview
  • State residency

Waitlist

Bucknell waitlist

2,908 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 1,384 accepted it, and 150 were admitted from it (10.8% of those who stayed on).

Cost

What Bucknell costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Bucknell's net price calculator.

Tuition$70,576
Per year
Average net price$50,021
After grants, aided students
Open Bucknell's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to Bucknell's 32.2%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about Bucknell admissions

What is Bucknell's acceptance rate?

Bucknell admitted 3,723 of 11,561 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 32.2%. That is up from 28.9% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is Bucknell test-optional for 2026–27?

Yes. Bucknell is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.

When are Bucknell's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Early decision: November 1, 2026; Early decision II: January 10, 2027; Regular decision: January 10, 2027. Check Bucknell's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

What SAT score do you need for Bucknell?

There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored about 1310–1470 on the SAT (Fall 2024). A score at or above about 1470 is in the top quarter of enrolled students. This range is approximate: it adds the college's reading and math section ranges, because no total-score range is published.

Does applying early decision help at Bucknell?

For Fall 2025, Bucknell admitted 54.7% of 1,200 early decision applicants, compared with 32.2% overall. Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

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