Bentley vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Bentley vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Bentley ($22,469 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bentley University are 0.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($20,140 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $4,494 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Swarthmore than at Bentley University (about $4,494 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Swarthmore College (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 83% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($61,634 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 170 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Swarthmore 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; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Bentley vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($201 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.