At $40,429/yr net price, Bucknell University graduates earn $93,807/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $59,807/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $40,429 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $161,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $93,807/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$59,807/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 86.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,406/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,554/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,932/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,128/yr |
| $110,001+ | $55,354/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $87,604 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $81,498 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,002 | $19,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $66,147 | $26,881 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,610 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $55,964 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $55,102 | $25,888 |
The Risk Factor
86.2% of students at Bucknell University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Bucknell's numbers work out well, but the return depends heavily on what you study and what your family earns. With median earnings of $93,807 a decade out against median debt of $27,000, most graduates carry less than a third of a year's pay in loans. The 86% graduation rate and near-96% retention mean you're likely to finish, which is the biggest financial risk at most schools and not much of one here.
Engineering is where Bucknell pays off hardest. Computer engineering grads clear $87,604 and computer science grads $81,498, both bachelor-level. Chemical engineering ($76,460) and biomedical engineering ($66,821) carry the same $27,000 debt as the school median, so the loans are steady while the paydays differ. Mechanical engineering stands out for a different reason: $69,002 in earnings against just $19,500 in debt, the lowest borrowing of the listed programs. The catch is that Bucknell publishes no salary data for its liberal arts and humanities majors, so if you're headed into those fields, you're borrowing against outcomes the numbers here can't confirm.
The net price tiers split families sharply. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay roughly $19,500 to $21,400 a year, and the engineering salaries make that math easy. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 band and the price jumps to $36,128. above $110,000 it hits $55,354, nearly triple what lower-income families pay. At that top tier you're spending over $220,000 across four years, and only an engineering or CS degree reliably justifies it.
Bucknell fits you if you're targeting one of its engineering or computer science programs, especially from a middle- or lower-income household. If you're a full-pay family aiming at a major with no earnings data, look harder at whether the sticker is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bucknell University worth the high cost?
Bucknell graduates earn a median of $93,807 ten years after graduation, which helps offset the $40,429 annual net price. However, the return depends heavily on your major - engineering students see much better outcomes than liberal arts graduates.
What are the best paying majors at Bucknell University?
Computer Engineering leads at $87,604 median salary, followed by Computer Science at $81,498 and Chemical Engineering at $76,460. These technical programs justify Bucknell's cost better than most other majors at the school.
How much debt do Bucknell University students graduate with?
The median debt is $27,000, which is manageable given the $93,807 average earnings after ten years. Most engineering graduates can handle this debt load comfortably.
Does Bucknell University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $40,429 per year is still quite high even after financial aid. For families without significant financial need, Bucknell can be difficult to afford without substantial borrowing.