Amherst vs. Bentley

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Bentley University in Waltham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bentley University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Bentley University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Bentley University 12:1.

Amherst vs. Bentley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Bentley? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Bentley ($19,049 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 8.7% lower than at Bentley University ($18,390 vs. $20,140).
• Amherst College is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $9,480 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Amherst than at Bentley University (about $9,480 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Amherst College (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 103.7% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($68,591 vs. $33,673).

Amherst vs. Bentley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Bentley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bentley and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Bentley University 1280/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Bentley University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Bentley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 21.3% at Bentley.

Amherst vs. Bentley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Bentley? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Amherst graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $82,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,525 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($134 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.