Bentley Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Waltham, MA
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#13 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

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Bentley Admission Overview

Bentley admission requirements are competitive. Last year Bentley admitted 45.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1280-1430 / ACT 28-31. Bentley is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bentley is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bentley Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

45.1%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Bentley acceptance rate is 45.1%. Last year, 4,961 of 11,012 applicants were admitted. That is the 19th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

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

Bentley is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bentley GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.75*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Bentley has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Bentley is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.75 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Bentley SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1280-1430

Freshmen who sent SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 630
Math 650
Composite 1280

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 700
Math 730
Composite 1430

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Bentley typically score around a 1360 SAT (middle 50% 1280–1430) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 93rd percentile nationally. Bentley ranks #17 in the state of Massachusetts and #135 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1280 to 1430

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Bentley is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1360 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Bentley University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1430+	Above 75th	>61%
1360 to 1430	Avg +	46%-61%
1280 to 1360	Avg -	30%-46%
Below 1280	Below mid-50	<30%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bentley ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 25
Composite 28

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 32
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Bentley typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 28–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bentley places #19 among colleges in Massachusetts and #175 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Bentley without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Bentley University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31+	Above 75th	>66%
29 to 31	Avg +	45%-66%
28 to 29	Avg -	35%-45%
Below 28	Below mid-50	<35%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Bentley chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Bentley University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	4,520	6,491	11,012
Accepted	2,201	2,760	4,961
Acceptance Rate	49%	43%	45%
Enrolled	438	618	1,056
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	22%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Bentley University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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 considered for admission, even 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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Bentley University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Bentley is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 45.1% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1280-1430); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025