Bentley vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Bentley vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than Bentley ($15,340 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 23.3% lower than at Bentley University ($15,452 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 437.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $49,654 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 250.1% higher at Bentley than at Fitchburg State University (about $43,574 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Bentley University (92% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 191.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($33,673 vs. $11,539).

Bentley vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 210 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Bentley vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $43,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $3,815 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($234 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

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.