Bentley vs. RPI

Bentley University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bentley University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $45,802 at Bentley.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
Bentley45.1%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
Bentley1280-1430
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
RPI $6,915 less
Bentley$45,802
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
Bentley $3,081 less
Bentley$61,000
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $3,081 less
Bentley$61,000
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
Bentley +4 pts
Bentley88%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$4,700
Bentley$87,200
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 10% lower than at Bentley University ($18,120 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at RPI than at Bentley University (about $3,081 more per year; $64,081 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Bentley University (95% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($43,517 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at RPI than at Bentley (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Bentley (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($274 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bentley students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 92%).

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

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