Bentley vs. Emerson

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

Bentley University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bentley. Average net price is $45,802 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
Bentley45.1%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bentley higher
Bentley1280-1430
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Bentley $7,630 less
Bentley$45,802
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $3,944 less
Bentley$61,000
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $3,944 less
Bentley$61,000
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Bentley +7 pts
Bentley88%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$38,000
Bentley$87,200
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

Bentley University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bentley University are 3.7% lower than at Emerson College ($20,140 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Bentley than at Emerson College (about $3,944 more per year; $61,000 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Emerson College (88% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,673 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emerson than at Bentley (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bentley average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($242 vs. $274).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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.

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