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Bentley University
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.
Located in Waltham, MA and set in a suburban environment, Bentley University is a private university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 48%. The freshman retention rate at Bentley University is 93% and the six-year graduation rate is 88%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is April 1.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Bentley University.
Quick Facts
4,350
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
48%
Acceptance Rate
$61,000
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most vital information you have to know about admission at Bentley University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,077 in 2024. Bentley University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This prominent school with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
25% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 21.83% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 68.31% between 1,200 and 1,399, 8.45% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.41% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 67.5, 30 between 24-29 and 2.5 in the range between 18-23.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 652 and an average SAT Math score of 680.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is April 1.
48%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Bentley University was 93% in 2024, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution enrolled 5,264 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 53. There was a total of 4,350 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 604 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 65.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,823 male and 1,864 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 234 full-time graduate male and 186 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings 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. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 434 Asian students and 171 Afro-American students in 2024. 536 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 127 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 8 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 39 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important information on Bentley University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $61,000 in 2024. Bentley University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $480 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $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?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Bentley University was $20,140 in 2024. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $11,650, according to the data from 2024.
| Tuition | $ 61,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,140 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 82,340 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Bentley University.
According to the most recent data, 561 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $44,122 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.
1,822 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,851. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $4,011,790, and state $1,292,450. The students of Bentley University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $62,291,828, and external in the amount of $3,483,505.
$19,501
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
331 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. 146 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $28,893,952. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $393,043 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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)
-
Transfer Undergraduate - Fall 2025
Transfer Undergraduate - Fall 2025
ApplyStart Year: 2025
Start Term: Fall
Application Deadline: 2025-04-01
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Bentley University was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 502. Out of that number, there were 290 men and 212 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Bentley University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Bentley University.
Its campus spans 163 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 125. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 14% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 26 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students is Campus Activities Board, followed by South Asian Student Association and Bentley Student Gaming Organization. Other popular organizations among the students at Bentley University are Black United Body and Bentley Investing Group.
If you're a fan of the performing arts, there is a drama club you can get involved in. Interested in media and communication? Bentley University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Bentley University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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 highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 67,711 USD.
$67,711
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Bentley University is 61,000 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Bentley University is 48%.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.