Bentley vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Bentley vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Emerson? 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 Bentley University than Emerson ($45,802 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bentley University are 3.7% lower than at Emerson College ($20,140 vs. $20,920).
• Bentley University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $3,944 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Bentley than at Emerson College (about $3,944 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Emerson College (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,673 vs. $26,997).

Bentley vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 10 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Bentley vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Emerson? 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).

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $38,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($242 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

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.