Bentley vs. Clarkson

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

Bentley University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
Bentley45.1%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bentley higher
Bentley1280-1430
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $13,396 less
Bentley$45,802
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $1,602 less
Bentley$61,000
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $1,602 less
Bentley$61,000
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Bentley +16 pts
Bentley88%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$16,400
Bentley$87,200
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 9.4% lower than at Bentley University ($18,252 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Bentley than at Clarkson University (about $1,602 more per year; $61,000 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Bentley University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($46,528 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bentley than at Clarkson (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Bentley (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 86%).

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

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