Bucknell University
Bucknell University a private institution with approximately 3,900 undergraduate students located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The picturesque campus sits along the Susquehanna River and offers the close-knit feel of a liberal arts college while providing the resources of a comprehensive university. Students apply directly to one of Bucknell’s three colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, or the Freeman College of Management.
Bucknell is known for combining a broad liberal arts education with hands-on learning. Small class sizes allow students to work closely with professors. Students are encouraged to explore interests across disciplines. Experiential learning is central to the Bucknell experience. Students participate in research with faculty, community-engaged learning, internships, and global education opportunities that prepare them for graduate school and careers. Campus life is active, with hundreds of student organizations, Division I athletics, leadership opportunities, outdoor recreation, and Greek Life.
27 Bucknell Bison teams compete in NCAA Division I athletics as a part of the Patriot League. Basketball, lacrosse, and rowing are especially competitive. Almost half of Bucknellians study abroad or off-campus with Bucknell hosted programs and over 400 other partners. Half of students graduate with undergraduate research experience. 50% of students join Bucknell’s fraternities or sororities once they’re eligible, but Bucknell employs a delayed rush, so students join in the fall of sophomore year.
Entrepreneurship is fostered in students from all three colleges through the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Bucknell has a strong alumni network and toped LinkedIn’s inaugural list of Top Liberal Arts Colleges for Long-Term Career Success in 2025. The Center for Career Advancement will continue to grow and innovate with the addition of a new director in the summer of 2026.
Bucknell reviews applications holistically, considering a student’s academic preparation, extracurricular involvement, essays, and personal qualities. The University has a test-optional admissions policy and applicants must select one of Bucknell’s three undergraduate colleges on the application. Admission is selective, and Early Decision is growing in popularity. The University offers a handful of five-year programs including a BS/MS in engineering, and dual degree programs in liberal arts & engineering and management & engineering.
Who would be a great fit for Bucknell University?
Bucknell is a great fit for students who want a traditional residential college experience with strong academics, close relationships with professors, and the resources of a university without the size of a major research institution. Students who enjoy learning through research and hands-on experiences, and participating in a vibrant campus community will find plenty of opportunities to thrive. The University is especially well suited for students interested in engineering, management, the sciences, and the liberal arts who value interdisciplinary learning.
Fun Facts About Bucknell
In 2005, the Bucknell (14) Bison Men’s Basketball team beat Kansas (3) by one point in the first round of the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Later, they won the ESPY for Best Upset for their performance.
The Japanese cherry blossom trees that line the quad in front of the library were a gift from Takeo Shiina, Class of 1951, who was the longtime president of IBM Japan.
Actors Edward Herrmann (Gilmore Girls), Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire), and Ralph Waite (The Waltons) are all Bucknell alumni.
William Bucknell pledged $50,000 to The University at Lewisburg in the late 1800s and the institution was renamed in his honor.
Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Philip Roth (American Pastoral) graduated from Bucknell in 1954.
In the 1850s in the first campus building, now called Taylor Hall, when women and men studied in the same space, women were required to face east, and men faced west.
When it was first founded, travel from Philadelphia to Bucknell took 25 hours via stagecoach, canal boat, and unheated train. The distance is roughly 160 miles and can be driven today in less than three hours.
Bucknell is Alison’s alma mater. 🦬
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