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Bentley University

Bentley University

Waltham, MA · City · 4,474 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Oct 2026 · bentley.edu
$37,930
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
88%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$120,959
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
45%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located just outside Boston in Waltham, Bentley University is a premier business-focused institution renowned for its top-ranked programs in finance, accounting, and business analytics. The university distinguishes itself by seamlessly integrating a rigorous professional curriculum with the arts and sciences, offering hands-on learning through cutting-edge facilities like the Hughey Center for Financial Services (Trading Room) and specialized dual-degree pathways. Campus culture is ambitious, collaborative, and distinctly career-driven, with students actively participating in professional organizations, athletics, and corporate internships. Backed by world-class career services, this immersive environment consistently yields one of the highest post-graduation job placement rates and returns on investment in the country.

Wikipedia:Bentley University is a private university in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Bentley has one undergraduate school which offers 17 business majors and 14 arts and sciences majors, as well as 39 minors. Its graduate school offers five master's degrees, an MBA with eight disciplines, and three PhD programs.

Location
Waltham, MA, 02452-4705 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
11 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$61,000
Housing & food (on campus)$20,140
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$91,390
Average net price$37,930
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$61,000
Housing & food (on campus)$20,140
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$91,390
Average net price$37,930
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bentley.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Bentley University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$65,860
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,550
Total published by the school$91,390
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$21,196
$30–48k
$18,587
$48–75k
$26,164
$75–110k
$33,653
$110k+
$49,190
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$21,176
First-years who got one429
Source: Bentley University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
88%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
81%
Back for yr 2
93%
Transferred
9%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
88% graduated · 8% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$86,679
10 yrs after entry$120,959
Debt
Median at graduation$25,023
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$14.5k–$27k
90th percentile$32,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
45%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1352
R 630–700 · M 650–730
ACT midpoint
30
Comp 28–31 · E 29–34 · M 25–32
SAT middle 50%: 1280–1430
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 15 2027
binding in 105 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · bentley.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Bentley University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Bentley University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Bentley University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 61%Women 39%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
16%
Family income
$106,565
Independent
3%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
53%
Hispanic
14%
Black
4%
Asian
10%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
15%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$86,679
After 10 yrs
$120,959
Finance and Financial Management Services256
Accounting and Related Services180
Business Administration, Management and Operations108
Marketing108
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other106
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods69
Computer and Information Sciences, General40
Business/Managerial Economics30
Business/Corporate Communications18
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations16
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management7
Economics7
Public Health4
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities2
Mathematics2
Public Policy Analysis2
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$363M
Full-time faculty
67%
Faculty salary
$15,847/mo
Teaching spend
$16,265
per student
Federal loans
43%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$5M research spending · 6 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Bentley University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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Scholarship search