Bucknell University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bucknell University charges a net price of $40,766/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $163,064. Graduates earn a median $93,807 ten years after entry, $45,447/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.6 years — a 20-year net return of $745,876, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bucknell University's 3.6-year payback ranks #237 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 82% of them, and #12 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $40,766/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $163,064 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $93,807 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $45,447/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $745,876 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bucknell University's own numbers. Net price $40,766 × 4 years = $163,064 total. Median earnings $93,807 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $45,447 a year of premium. $163,064 ÷ $45,447 = 3.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $745,876. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bucknell University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $93,807 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bucknell University students graduate?
86% finish their degree. Spread the $163,064 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $189,609 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bucknell University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $40,766 net price runs $19,025 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $76,100 more across the full degree.