Bucknell University Acceptance Rate
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 11,010
- Admitted
- 3,524
- Yield
- 29.2%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Bucknell University's acceptance rate has risen from 30.7% in 2014–15 to 32% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 7,864 to 11,010 (+40%) over that period.
Its 32% rate makes Bucknell University more selective than about 92% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 108 tracked Pennsylvania schools, it is more selective than about 89%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (34.7% for women vs 29.3% for men, a 5.4-point gap). Bucknell University has been test-optional since 2019–20. Of admitted students, 29.2% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 7,864 | 2,416 | 30.7% | 939 |
| 2015–16 | 10,967 | 2,718 | 24.8% | 938 |
| 2016–17 | 10,487 | 3,138 | 29.9% | 950 |
| 2017–18 | 10,253 | 3,187 | 31.1% | 973 |
| 2018–19 | 10,144 | 3,352 | 33% | 974 |
| 2019–20 | 9,845 | 3,370 | 34.2% | 964 |
| 2020–21 | 9,890 | 3,712 | 37.5% | 986 |
| 2021–22 | 11,263 | 3,886 | 34.5% | 1,027 |
| 2022–23 | 11,707 | 3,811 | 32.6% | 1,034 |
| 2023–24 | 11,010 | 3,524 | 32% | 1,030 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 5,472 | 1,900 | 34.7% |
| Men | 5,538 | 1,624 | 29.3% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 640–710 | 27% |
| SAT Math | 660–740 | |
| ACT Composite | 31–33 | 10% |
How Bucknell University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Bucknell University's acceptance rate?
Bucknell University's acceptance rate is 32% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (3,524 admitted of 11,010 applicants).
Is Bucknell University test optional?
Bucknell University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Bucknell University?
Bucknell University received 11,010 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 3,524.
What SAT score do you need for Bucknell University?
Admitted students at Bucknell University typically scored 640–710 on SAT Reading/Writing and 660–740 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Bucknell University getting harder to get into?
Bucknell University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 30.7% in 2014–15 to 32% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.bucknell.edu/.