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Bentley University
Bentley University admits a bit under 50% of applicants; strong grades put you in the conversation at Bentley University, and the data below says what "strong" means.
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Bentley University sits in Waltham proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 14.6% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Non-Professional Legal Studies, where graduates median $148,087 four years out. 16.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 4,474 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 92.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1250 and 1410 — near the MA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Bentley University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Bentley University received 10,482 applications and admitted 5,077 (48.4%), with 1,120 enrolling.
Bentley University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1250–1410 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Bentley University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 620 | 650 | 690 |
| SAT Math | 630 | 680 | 720 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 31 | 32 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Bentley University compares
| Bentley University | Massachusetts median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 45.1% | 70.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $61,000 | $46,700 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $120,959 | $62,832 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Bentley University: $120,959 median at year ten, versus $62,832 across Massachusetts institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $61,000 regardless of where you're from. At Bentley University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 4,474 undergrads, Bentley University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
86.8% of Bentley University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 31.9 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $61,000 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Bentley University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | $148,087 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $122,075 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $113,795 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $111,853 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $111,433 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $109,922 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $108,886 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $108,343 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $105,183 |
| Mathematics | $101,971 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $99,514 |
| Marketing | $88,461 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $80,781 |
Median earnings for these 13 Bentley University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $120,959 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 25 additional Bentley University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Bentley University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1250–1410 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 45.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Bentley University's acceptance rate?
48.4% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,077 admitted from 10,482 applicants.
How much does Bentley University cost?
At Bentley University, published tuition is $61,000 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Bentley University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Bentley University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $120,959 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Massachusetts
- Berklee College of Music — 43.5% admitted
- Anna Maria College — 50.3% admitted
- Brandeis University — 40.5% admitted
- Laboure College of Healthcare — 50% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.