Bucknell Admission Requirements
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- Lewisburg, PA
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Bucknell Admission Overview
Bucknell admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Pennsylvania. Last year Bucknell admitted 28.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (A-) and SAT 1310-1470 / ACT 30-33. Bucknell is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bucknell is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Bucknell Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
High
Admission difficulty for Bucknell University
Acceptance Rate
The Bucknell acceptance rate is 28.9%. Last year, only 3,291 of 11,377 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania and the 105th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Bucknell and can you get accepted?
Bucknell is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Bucknell University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.62. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bucknell GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.62Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.62
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Bucknell typically have around a 3.62 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Bucknell is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #24 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Bucknell Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Bucknell University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required, and the SAT/ACT writing sections and ACT science section are not required. Applicants may self-report scores on the Common or Coalition Application. If you enroll and have taken the SAT or ACT, official scores are required by June 15 for research only and do not change the admission decision; students who never took a test are not required to submit one.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu/admissions/standardizedtests/
Bucknell SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1310-1470Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
29%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 660
- Composite 1310
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 730
- Math 740
- Composite 1470
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Bucknell typically score around a 1390 SAT (middle 50% 1310–1470) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 95th percentile nationally. Bucknell ranks #9 in the state of Pennsylvania and #112 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1310 to 1470
SAT policy
Bucknell is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1390 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Bucknell ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
30-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- English 31
- Math 27
- Composite 30
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 32
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Bucknell typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bucknell places #9 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #113 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 33
ACT policy
You may apply to Bucknell without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
59% of Bucknell University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Bucknell chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Bucknell University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Bucknell University is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Bucknell is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 28.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.62 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1310-1470); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Bucknell University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211291.
GPA calculator: Bucknell University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026