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#14 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Bentley Admission Requirements

Waltham, Massachusetts

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Bentley University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

57.9%
Admission Difficulty for Bentley University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Bentley is 57.9%.  Its admission rate is the 25th lowest in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bentley and can you get accepted?

Bentley is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,592 out of the 9,662 who applied were admitted.

Bentley University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Bentley?

58% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Bentley University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1340 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Bentley GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Bentley University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Bentley are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Bentley accepts 58% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Bentley is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Bentley is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.75 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Bentley SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Bentley University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1258-1420

Applicants Submitting SAT 

27%
SAT Scores for Bentley University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 618
Math 25th Percentile 640
Composite 25th Percentile 1258
SAT Scores for Bentley University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 690
Math 75th Percentile 730
Composite 75th Percentile 1420
Average SAT Score 1340

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Bentley University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Bentley is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1258-1420. Students who get into Bentley University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Bentley ranks #19 in the state of Massachusetts and #143 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Bentley regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1258 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1258, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1180, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Bentley University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1339, you have around a 58% chance of being admitted. A 1420 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 72% chance of getting in.

Bentley University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1420 and Above Good >72%
1339 to 1420 Avg + 58%-72%
1258 to 1339 Avg - 42%-58%
1177 to 1258 Reach 28%-42%
Less than 1177 Low <28%
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Bentley ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Bentley University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 26
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Bentley University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Bentley?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Bentley is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 32.  The school ranks #17 in Massachusetts and #125 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Bentley University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Bentley University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Bentley for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 58% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 72% with a 32 ACT score.

Bentley University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >72%
30 to 32 Avg + 58%-72%
28 to 30 Avg - 42%-58%
26 to 28 Reach 28%-42%
Less than 26 Low <28%
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High School Class Rank

68% of Bentley University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bentley University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 36%
Top 25% of class 68%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Bentley University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,735 5,927 9,662
Accepted 2,349 3,243 5,592
Acceptance Rate 63% 55% 58%
Enrolled 444 697 1,141
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 21% 20%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

22

Applicants have 22 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bentley University is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bentley University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bentley University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Bentley University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Bentley is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.75 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1340 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1420 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Bentley University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164739 IPEDS survey data for Bentley University.

Last updated February 24, 2024