Bentley University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Waltham, MA

$53,790

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 4,061, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 58%. The university offers 25 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 90%, and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Tuition and fees for students are $53,790.

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.

58% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 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

92% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

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

90% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. 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 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 26-31

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1180-1360

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

100%

Online student enrollment

11:1

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

56%

Non-U.S. Citizen

17%

Asian

9%

Hispanic

8%

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

#3 Ranked in Best One-Year Online Master's 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

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Biotechnology Programs

View School

Simmons University

Boston, MA · Private · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Online Computer Science Programs Best of 2022

View School

Suffolk University

Boston, MA · Private · Non-profit

#4 Ranked in Best Master's in Corrections Administration Programs of 2022

View School

Babson College

Wellesley, MA · Private · Non-profit

#4 Ranked in Best Online MBA in Marketing Programs

View School

Lasell University

Newton, MA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Bryant University

Smithfield, RI · Private · Non-profit

View School

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

4

Total Online Enrollment

5,177

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 17% online

Master's Check Bold 15% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $53,790 $53,790
Graduate $40,992 $40,992

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,325
On-campus room and board $17,620
On-campus other expenses $1,250
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $17,620
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $1,250
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $6,065

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $73,985 $73,985
Off-campus without family $73,985 $73,985
Off-campus with family $61,180 $61,180

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

60%

State Grant Aid

7%

Institution Grant Aid

77%

Pell Grant

15%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $2,202
State Grant Aid $3,584
Institution Grant Aid $27,074
Pell Grant Aid $4,623

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
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Baseball
  • Lacrosse

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 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

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

6

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

7

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

8

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), [2020-2021]. 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.