Bentley vs. SMU

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

Bentley University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bentley. Average net price is $45,802 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Bentley 88% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bentley $87,200 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Bentley University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
Bentley45.1%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Bentley1280-1430
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Bentley $2,377 less
Bentley$45,802
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Bentley $6,040 less
Bentley$61,000
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $6,040 less
Bentley$61,000
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Bentley +13 pts
Bentley88%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$14,200
Bentley$87,200
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bentley 11,012
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Bentley 4,961
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bentley 1360
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bentley 29
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bentley 3.75
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bentley A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bentley Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bentley Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Bentley 28-31
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bentley Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bentley $61,000
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Bentley $20,140
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Bentley $45,802
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Bentley $33,673
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bentley 88%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bentley 88%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bentley $87,200
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bentley 92%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bentley $26,500
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bentley $274
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bentley 12:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Bentley Small City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Bentley 5,333
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bentley #107
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Methodist University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 5.3% lower than at Bentley University ($19,064 vs. $20,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at SMU than at Bentley University (about $6,040 more per year; $67,040 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Southern Methodist University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($37,520 vs. $33,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SMU than at Bentley (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bentley and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bentley average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($222 vs. $274).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 76%).

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

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