Bentley University

Bentley University admits approximately 48.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Bentley in the Selective (25-50%) tier, representing moderate selectivity among four-year institutions. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates that Bentley is more selective than typical institutions with similar characteristics, admitting 22.1 percentage points fewer applicants than the peer average.

This level of selectivity means that while admission is competitive, well-prepared students with strong academic credentials have reasonable chances of acceptance. Students should present academic profiles that demonstrate readiness for Bentley's business and technology-focused curriculum. The selectivity level suggests that most applicants will need above-average academic preparation, but the institution is more accessible than highly competitive universities with single-digit acceptance rates. For students building balanced college lists, Bentley represents a solid target school for those with strong academic preparation, though applicants should still include safer backup options given the competitive nature of business-focused programs.

Bentley University's published cost of attendance is $77,082 per year, including $58,150 in tuition, $19,200 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $38,787 after financial aid, representing savings of $38,295 from the sticker price. This net price sits $11,644 above the peer median of $27,143, indicating higher costs than similar institutions even after financial aid.

The substantial gap between published price and average net cost reflects Bentley's financial aid strategy, though the institution remains more expensive than peer institutions after aid. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $24,239 for the lowest-income families to $49,750 for the highest-income bracket. This represents a $25,511 spread between the most and least expensive family income tiers, showing meaningful financial aid targeting toward lower-income families despite the overall higher cost structure.

Bentley University graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $86,679 six years after enrollment to $102,857 at eight years and $120,959 at ten years, representing 39.5% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 264 to 293 graduates across the measurement periods, providing high confidence in the reported figures.

Graduates earn $26,163 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Bentley at the 96.3rd percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $83,200, ranking among the top 5% nationally for outcomes among students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $90,680 at the 25th percentile to $160,802 at the 75th percentile, showing strong outcomes even at the lower end of the distribution. Approximately 26.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating most enter the workforce directly after completing their undergraduate degrees.

Bentley University offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other ranks #1 nationally, producing 115 graduates with median earnings of $89,440 and a perfect value score of 100.0. General Studies ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 126 students with median earnings of $87,110.

Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping ranks #6 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, with 216 graduates earning $83,486. Digital Marketing also ranks #6 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, graduating 146 students with median earnings of $77,885. Business/Corporate Communications, General ranks #1 nationally and in Massachusetts, graduating 39 students with median earnings of $74,655. Banking and Financial Support Services, the largest program with 243 graduates, ranks #15 nationally while producing median earnings of $92,531.