BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY
Mission Statement
Bucknell is a unique national university where liberal arts and professional programs complement each other. Bucknell educates men and women for a lifetime of critical thinking and strong leadership characterized by continued intellectual exploration, creativity, and imagination. A Bucknell education enables students to interact daily with faculty who exemplify a passion for learning and a dedication to teaching and scholarship. Bucknell fosters a residential, co-curricular environment in which students develop intellectual maturity, personal conviction and strength of character, informed by a deep understanding of different cultures and diverse perspectives. Bucknell seeks to educate our students to serve the common good and to promote justice in ways sensitive to the moral and ethical dimensions of life. Bucknell’s rich history and heritage will influence its planning for the future. Bucknell’s potential as an institution of higher learning extends beyond that of a traditional liberal arts college by virtue of its larger size and expansive programs. The University’s broader spectrum of disciplines and courses of study within a diverse and active residential campus community enhance the quality of all aspects of the undergraduate experience, both in and out of the classroom.
Financial Overview — FY 2025
Compared with Peers
FY 2025| Ratio | This org | Peer median | Position (P10 → P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Program expense ratio
Program expenses / total expenses
· higher is better
|
84.4% | 87.7% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Admin expense ratio
Management and general / total expenses
· lower is better
|
11.8% | 10.5% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Fundraising expense ratio
Fundraising expenses / total expenses
· lower is better
|
3.8% | 1.3% |
P10P90
|
Bottom quarter |
|
Operating reserve
Months of expenses covered by net assets
· higher is better
|
45.7 mo | 20.9 mo |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Liabilities to assets
Total liabilities / total assets
· lower is better
|
15.5% | 26.1% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Revenue concentration
Share of revenue from the largest source
· lower is better
|
73.4% | 82.9% |
P10P90
|
Top quarter |
|
Surplus margin
Surplus as a share of revenue
|
1.5% | 3.6% |
P10P90
|
Financial History
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets | Program % | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $420.7M | $414.3M | $1576.3M | 84.4% | 3689 |
| 2023 | $379.0M | $357.0M | $1388.4M | 86.2% | 3415 |
| 2022 | $288.9M | $335.0M | $1369.9M | 84.3% | 3131 |
| 2021 | $331.8M | $308.0M | N/A | — | 3182 |
Donor Reviews
Write a ReviewBe the first to share your experience with this organization.