Bentley vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bentley University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Bentley vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than Bentley ($16,621 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 24.2% lower than at Bentley University ($15,274 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 327.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $46,720 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.1% higher at Bentley than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $36,994 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at Bentley University (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 245.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($33,673 vs. $9,742).

Bentley vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 150 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Bentley vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $31,900 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($26,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 69%)

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.