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Waltham , MA
Bentley University is a prestigious private university located in Waltham, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. Founded in 1917, Bentley is widely recognized for its excellence in business education, combining a strong foundation in business with a liberal arts education. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in business, finance, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship, among others.
One of the distinguishing features of Bentley University is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students are encouraged to engage in hands-on, real-world experiences through internships, co-ops, and global study programs. Bentley's prime location provides students with incredible opportunities to intern or work at prestigious companies located in the Boston area, fostering a strong connection between academia and the business world. Additionally, the university's state-of-the-art facilities, including a trading room equipped with Bloomberg terminals, a technology-rich campus, and numerous research centers, ensure that students have access to cutting-edge resources.
Bentley University also strives to create a supportive and inclusive community. With a relatively small student body, the university offers a close-knit environment where students can collaborate, network, and develop strong relationships with their peers and faculty. The university actively promotes diversity and inclusion, providing a variety of resources, programs, and initiatives to foster a sense of belonging for all students. Bentley also offers a range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and NCAA Division II athletic teams, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and balance their academic and social lives.
Bentley University is a private university located in Waltham, MA and set in a suburban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 45%. The freshman retention rate at Bentley University is 93% and the six-year graduation rate is 87%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is April 1.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Bentley University.
Quick Facts
4,526
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$61,000
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
87%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Check out some vital facts about admission policy and requirements at Bentley University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,961 in 2025. Bentley University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned institution with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 19% and ACT scores 2%. 28.06% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 65.31% between 1,200 and 1,399, 6.12% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.51% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 56.25 and 43.75 between 24-29.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 662 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 684.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is April 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Bentley University was 93% in 2025, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 87%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 5,333 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 53. There was a total of 4,526 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 654 international students. The school admitted a total of 96 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,883 male and 1,907 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 447, and the number of Afro-American students was 200. 638 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 133 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 46 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Bentley University estimated tuition costs.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $61,000 in 2025. Bentley University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $480.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Bentley University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $20,140. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $12,220 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 61,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,140 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 82,340 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Bentley University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 543 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $46,934 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 1,915 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,937. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $4,625,472, and state $1,356,200. The students of Bentley University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $70,291,211, and external in the amount of $3,547,713.
$1,998
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
352 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 100 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $33,360,610. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $393,190 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Bentley University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 512. Out of that number, there were 298 men and 211 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at Bentley University.
Its campus is 163 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 130 open-membership organizations at Bentley University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 11 and female students 19. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is BEAR Outdoors Club, followed by Bentley Consulting Association and Campus Activities Board. Other popular organizations at Bentley University are Bentley Entrepreneurship Society and Bentley Real Estate Group.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Bentley University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Bentley University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Bentley University.
All in all, campus life at Bentley University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Bentley University.
Career Counselling
At Bentley University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 72,469 USD.
$72,469
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Bentley University is 61,000 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Bentley University is 45%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Bentley University is 93%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.