Bentley vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Bentley vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or UMass? 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Bentley ($22,948 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 17% lower than at Bentley University ($16,710 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 243.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $43,228 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Bentley than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $20,551 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 156.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($33,673 vs. $13,110).

Bentley vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley or UMass? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMass and Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 50 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming UMass students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bentley University 1280/1430; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bentley University 28/31; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Bentley vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and UMass? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($248 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

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.