Bentley vs. Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

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

Dartmouth College is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Dartmouth College is in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Dartmouth College 7:1.

Bentley vs. Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Dartmouth? 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 Dartmouth College than Bentley ($20,322 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dartmouth College are 0.7% lower than at Bentley University ($19,999 vs. $20,140).
• Dartmouth College is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $7,268 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Dartmouth than at Bentley University (about $7,268 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Dartmouth College (88% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 100.4% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($67,471 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Dartmouth 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; Dartmouth College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Dartmouth College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Dartmouth - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 69.1% at Dartmouth.

Bentley vs. Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Dartmouth? 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).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Bentley graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $87,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $13,039 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($13,461 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($139 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.