Location: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Established: 1846
Enrollment: ~3,700
Admit Rate: 29% (Class of 2028)
Yield Rate: 30%
Endowment: $1.1 Billion
Academic Calendar: Semester
School Colors: Orange and Blue, #E87722
School Mascot: Bisons
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $67,000 USD (2024–25 Tuition)
Typical SAT Scores: Reading and Writing 630–710, Math 650–740
Motto: Tibi Splendet et Lucet (To thee it shines and glows)
Notable: Distinct colleges for Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. These colleges are recognized for their strong participation in Greek life.‍

In a phrase: A unique hybrid of liberal arts, engineering, and management in central Pennsylvania.

Quick Facts Snapshot
Location: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Founded: 1846
Enrollment: ~3,700
Admit rate: 29% (Class of 2028)
Yield rate: 30%
Endowment: $1.1 Billion
‍
Why This School Fits the Little Ivy Profile
While Bucknell is bigger than a typical NESCAC school, it fits the "Little Ivy" mold with its historic brick campus, wealthy student body, and strong outcomes. It provides the resources of a university along with the undergraduate focus of a college.

Selectivity & Admissions
Approximate admit rate: 29%
Selectivity trend: Stable; increasingly popular for students seeking engineering within a liberal arts context.
SAT/ACT ranges: SAT 1330–1480

Academic Strengths
Signature programs: College of Engineering; Freeman College of Management; Animal Behavior.
Faculty ratio: 9:1
Key differentiator: Three-College Structure. Distinct colleges for Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Management allow for specialized degrees rarely found at small schools.

Outcomes
Salary or placement overview: High starting salaries (~$70k+) due to strong engineering and business graduates.
Alumni influence: Strong network in NYC and Philadelphia business sectors.
Where grads typically go: Big Four accounting, engineering firms, and finance.

Campus Culture
Traditions: Candlelighting Ceremony. First-years form a circle of light on the quad the night before classes; repeated at graduation.
Social environment: Greek life is significant (approx. 50% participation), creating a spirited social scene.
Notable athletics or arts strengths: Division I athletics (Patriot League), which is rare for a school of this profile.

How It Compares
[Bucknell vs. Lehigh vs. Lafayette: PA Engineering Rivals]
[Bucknell vs. Richmond: The Business/Liberal Arts Hybrid]

FAQs
Is it a party school?
‍It has a "work hard, play hard" reputation, heavily influenced by Greek life.
Can I double major across colleges?
‍Yes, for example, Engineering and Music, though it requires careful planning.
How is the town?
‍Lewisburg is a quintessential, charming Victorian college town, though somewhat isolated.


Further Reading
Bucknell University – Fast Facts & History (official) / (Founded 1846, location, enrollment, mascot, colors, academic structure)
https://www.bucknell.edu/about-bucknell/fast-facts
Bucknell University – Institutional Research / Common Data Set / (Admit rate, yield rate, SAT ranges, student–faculty ratio)
https://www.bucknell.edu/about-bucknell/institutional-research/common-data-set
Bucknell University – Financial Aid, Tuition & Fees (2024–25) / (Undergraduate tuition and fees)
https://www.bucknell.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/tuition-fees
Bucknell University – Endowment & Financial Overview / (Endowment ≈ $1.1B)
https://www.bucknell.edu/about-bucknell/leadership-and-administration/finance-and-administration/endowment
NCES College Navigator – Bucknell University Profile
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211291