Bentley vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Bentley vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Bentley ($15,313 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bentley University are 0.5% lower than at Princeton University ($20,140 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $1,688 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Princeton than at Bentley University (about $1,688 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Princeton University (88% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 104.1% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($68,727 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 190 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Princeton 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; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Bentley vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than Bentley graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $87,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $197 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($77 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.