Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Online | bentley.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston, Bentley University operates as a private business-focused institution on a suburban 163-acre campus. The university, founded in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance, maintains a core emphasis on business education while offering programs in liberal arts, sciences, and technology through its two main academic divisions: the undergraduate College of Business and the Graduate School of Business. Bentley's campus features a blend of traditional brick buildings and modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art trading room and business technology labs. The university maintains a selective admission process and is known for its accounting, finance, and information systems programs, along with its high job placement rates in business sectors. Most undergraduate students reside in on-campus housing during their first three years, with access to both traditional dormitories and suite-style accommodations.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bentley is rated within the top 21% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bentley University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#108 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#92 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#13 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#13 in Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
#373 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#22 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1250/1410 |
| ACT | 29/32 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.75 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $19,200 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,310 |
| Total One Year Cost | $79,960 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 83% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 12% |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 3% |
| Mathematics | 1% |
| General Studies | 1% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bentley are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164739 IPEDS survey data for Bentley University.
Current students may use the Bentley University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025