School Profile

Bentley University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Waltham, MA

$54,910

Avg tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About Bentley University

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Bentley University is a small private university located on an urban campus in Waltham, Massachusetts. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,996, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 61%. The university offers 29 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 88%, and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Tuition and fees for students are $54,910.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

61% of students were accepted during the 2021-2022 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

91% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

88% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Recommended

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Recommended

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 28-32

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1240-1413

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of between 5,000 and 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

5k

Students enrolled

30%

Online student enrollment

12:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

55%

Non-U.S. Citizen

17%

Asian

10%

Hispanic

9%

Black

4%

Unknown

3%

Two or more races

3%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

42%

Socio-economic diversity

15% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private · Non-profit

#4 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Project Management Programs of 2022

View School

Emerson College

Boston, MA · Private · Non-profit

#3 Ranked in Best Master's in Game and Media Design Programs

View School

Clark University

Worcester, MA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Stonehill College

Easton, MA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Simmons University

Boston, MA · Private · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Best Online Computer Science Programs of 2022

View School

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private · Non-profit

#6 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Computer Science Programs of 2024

View School

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Biotechnology Programs

View School

Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private · Non-profit

#4 Ranked in Best Women's Colleges in 2023

View School

Babson College

Wellesley, MA · Private · Non-profit

#9 Ranked in Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs

View School

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

5

Total Online Enrollment

1,539

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

92% On-campus

8% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate Check Bold 11% online

Master's Check Bold 25% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $54,910 $54,910
Graduate $42,200 $42,200

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,325
On-campus room and board $18,130
On-campus other expenses $1,250
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $18,130
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $1,250
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $6,210

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $75,615 $75,615
Off-campus without family $75,615 $75,615
Off-campus with family $62,445 $62,445

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

47%

State Grant Aid

13%

Institution Grant Aid

76%

Pell Grant

15%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $3,317
State Grant Aid $2,697
Institution Grant Aid $28,154
Pell Grant Aid $5,871

Financial Outlook

$25k

Average student debt after graduation

$67k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division II with football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • All Track Combined

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.

1

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

2

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

3

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

5

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

6

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

7

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

8

History

BA

MA

DOC

9

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

10

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

11

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

12

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

Explore Rankings

Explore More Resources

Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.