Bentley vs. BU

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

Bentley University
Boston University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 45.1%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1360.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs BU 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs BU $72,000 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Boston University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
Bentley45.1%
BU11.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
Bentley1280-1430
BU1420-1530
Average net price
BU $21,382 less
Bentley$45,802
BU$24,420
In-state tuition
Bentley $7,102 less
Bentley$61,000
BU$68,102
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $7,102 less
Bentley$61,000
BU$68,102
Graduation rate
Bentley +3 pts
Bentley88%
BU85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$15,200
Bentley$87,200
BU$72,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • BU 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • BU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • BU Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • BU 1420-1530
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • BU 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • BU $19,020
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • BU $24,420
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • BU $61,848
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • BU 49%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • BU 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • BU $72,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • BU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • BU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • BU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • BU #73

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 5.6% lower than at Bentley University ($19,020 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at BU than at Bentley University (about $7,102 more per year; $68,102 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Boston University (88% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 83.7% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($61,848 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at BU than at Bentley (33 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and BU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Bentley (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 37.4% at BU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 82%).

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

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