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#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Bentley Admission Requirements

Waltham, Massachusetts

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Bentley University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

60.9%
Admission Difficulty for Bentley University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Bentley is 60.9%.  Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bentley and can you get accepted?

Bentley is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 5,674 out of the 9,311 who applied were admitted.

The school has very high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 16 percent on standardized admission tests. Bentley University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Bentley?

61% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Bentley University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1330 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Bentley GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Bentley University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Bentley are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Bentley accepts 61% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Bentley is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Bentley is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.75 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Bentley SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Bentley University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1240-1413

Applicants Submitting SAT 

27%
SAT Scores for Bentley University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 610
Math 25th Percentile 630
Composite 25th Percentile 1240
SAT Scores for Bentley University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 690
Math 75th Percentile 723
Composite 75th Percentile 1413
Average SAT Score 1330

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Bentley University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Bentley is 1330 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1240-1413. Students who get into Bentley University score in the top 19 percent of all SAT test takers..  Bentley ranks #16 in the state of Massachusetts and #130 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1330 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Bentley regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1240 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1240, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1150, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Bentley University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1330 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1326, you have around a 61% chance of being admitted. A 1413 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 75% chance of getting in.

Bentley University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1413 and Above Good >75%
1326 to 1413 Avg + 61%-75%
1240 to 1326 Avg - 45%-61%
1154 to 1240 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 1154 Low <30%
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Bentley ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Bentley University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Bentley University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Bentley?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Bentley is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 32.  The school ranks #14 in Massachusetts and #106 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Bentley University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Bentley University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Bentley for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 61% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 75% with a 32 ACT score.

Bentley University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >75%
30 to 32 Avg + 61%-75%
28 to 30 Avg - 45%-61%
26 to 28 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 26 Low <30%
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High School Class Rank

68% of Bentley University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bentley University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 36%
Top 25% of class 68%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Bentley University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,687 5,624 9,311
Accepted 2,409 3,265 5,674
Acceptance Rate 65% 58% 61%
Enrolled 385 634 1,019
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 19% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

35

Applicants have 35 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bentley University is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bentley University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bentley University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Recommended
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Bentley University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Bentley is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.75 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1330 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Bentley University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164739 IPEDS survey data for Bentley University.

FAQs

Does Bentley University prefer SAT or ACT?

27% of students submit their SAT scores to Bentley. 5% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Bentley University?

61% of those who apply are granted admission to Bentley. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Bentley University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1240 and 1413. The average SAT score is 1326. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Bentley University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 28 and 32. The average ACT score is 30. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.