Bentley vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Bentley vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Penn? 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 Pennsylvania than Bentley ($23,570 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 4.8% lower than at Bentley University ($19,174 vs. $20,140).
• University of Pennsylvania is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $7,686 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Penn than at Bentley University (about $7,686 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at University of Pennsylvania (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 94.4% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($65,458 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Penn students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 68% at Penn.

Bentley vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bentley University's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $36,400 more per year than Bentley graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $87,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,867 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($213 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.