Bentley University
Bentley University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bentley University at a Glance
Bentley University is a private university in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Bentley has one undergraduate school which offers 17 business majors and 14 arts and sciences majors, as well as 39 minors. Its graduate school offers five master's degrees, an MBA with eight disciplines, and three PhD programs.
1917
109 years old
$390M
$390.4 million (2025)
5,333
4,526 undergrad · 807 grad
295
163 acres
Identity
Is Bentley University Worth It?
Bentley University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $37,930/year, it's priced 86% above average, while graduates go on to earn $120,959 — 125% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 88% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Bottom line: Bentley University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Bentley University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 10 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Bentley University | 70 | $37,930 | $120,959 |
| #3 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #4 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #5 | Stevens Institute of Technology | 58 | $41,346 | $108,772 |
| #6 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bentley University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Bentley University
The highest-earning program at Bentley University is Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at $74,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business/Corporate Communications at $47,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduate from Bentley University earns $74,400, while a Business/Corporate Communications graduate earns $47,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Business/Corporate Communications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $37,930/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $74,400 | $74,400 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,900 | $64,900 | $23,823 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $62,000 | $62,000 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,300 | $61,300 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,700 | $58,700 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $57,400 | $57,400 | $25,283 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $54,100 | $54,100 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,400 | $51,400 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $50,300 | $50,300 | $25,000 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $47,700 | $47,700 | $26,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Waltham, MA
- Student Body
- 4,474 students
- Admission Rate
- 45%
- Graduation Rate
- 88%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $37,930
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $120,959
- Median Student Debt
- $25,023