Bucknell University, located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is known for its competitive admissions process as a selective liberal arts institution. For the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2028), Bucknell reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 32.6%, reflecting a highly competitive applicant pool. This selectivity is influenced by factors such as a growing number of applications in recent years, the university’s strong academic reputation, and its commitment to a personalized undergraduate experience. Bucknell publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing reliable insights into its admissions trends.
Over the past decade, Bucknell’s acceptance rate has trended downward, indicating increasing competitiveness as more students apply for a relatively fixed number of spots. The Early Decision option significantly boosts admission chances, often doubling the acceptance rate compared to Regular Decision, a trend common among selective colleges. International admissions remain more competitive due to holistic evaluations and space constraints. Compared to peer institutions like Colgate University or Lafayette College, Bucknell’s selectivity is similar, with acceptance rates in the low-to-mid 30% range. Prospective applicants can find detailed historical data on Bucknell’s admissions website or through the official admissions page, which offers valuable resources for understanding admission trends and requirements.
