Bentley vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bentley University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Bentley vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Bentley ($26,756 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 32.3% lower than at Bentley University ($13,630 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $1,240 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Bentley than at St Olaf College (about $1,240 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Bentley University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($45,098 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 30 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming St Olaf 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; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Bentley vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $33,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Olaf students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.