Bentley vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Bentley vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Bentley ($22,520 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 12.7% lower than at Bentley University ($17,580 vs. $20,140).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $10,845 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Columbia than at Bentley University (about $10,845 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (88% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 99% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($67,010 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 190 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Bentley University 1280/1430; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia 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 Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Bentley vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than Bentley graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $87,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($222 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

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.