AU vs. Bentley

American University and Bentley University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Bentley University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: AU. Average net price is $39,676 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Bentley 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Bentley $87,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

American University Bentley University
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
AU62%
Bentley45.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1280-1460
Bentley1280-1430
Average net price
AU $6,126 less
AU$39,676
Bentley$45,802
In-state tuition
AU $2,229 less
AU$58,771
Bentley$61,000
Out-of-state tuition
AU $2,229 less
AU$58,771
Bentley$61,000
Graduation rate
Bentley +11 pts
AU77%
Bentley88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$22,400
AU$64,800
Bentley$87,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at AU and Bentley with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at AU Check my chances at Bentley
  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Bentley 11,012
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Bentley 4,961
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Bentley 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Bentley 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Bentley 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Bentley A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Bentley Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Bentley Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Bentley 28-31
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Bentley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Bentley $20,140
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Bentley $45,802
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Bentley $33,673
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Bentley $87,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Bentley 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Bentley $26,500
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Bentley $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Bentley 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Bentley Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Bentley 5,333
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Bentley #107

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Bentley University in Waltham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bentley University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Bentley University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 10.7% lower than at Bentley University ($17,982 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Bentley than at American University (about $2,229 more per year; $61,000 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at American University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($36,349 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at AU than at Bentley (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Bentley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bentley average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21.3% at Bentley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($250 vs. $274).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

American University
Bentley University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges