Is Bentley test optional?

We haven't confirmed Bentley's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Bentley's acceptance rate?

45% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 4,961 of 11,012 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 32%, from 8,346 in 2015 to 11,012 in 2024, and Bentley's admit rate went from 42% to 45%.

What ACT score do you need for Bentley?

2% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 28–31, with a median of 30. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1290–1403 works out to about 27–31.

Does applying early decision help at Bentley?

61% of early decision applicants were admitted (389 of 637), against 45% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

How many students get off the waitlist at Bentley?

225 of the 410 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 55%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Bentley? (Middle 50%: 1290–1403)

First-year students at Bentley who sent an SAT scored 1290–1403, with a median of 1340 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Bentley admits 45% of applicants.

Bentley University · Waltham, MA

Where your score lands at Bentley

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1290–1403, median 1340

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Bentley is for you and whether to send your score.

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Bentley by the numbers

Admit rate: 45%
Middle 50% SAT: 1290–1403
Median SAT: 1340
About on the ACT: 27–31
Sent an SAT: 19%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Bentley admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 32%, from 8,346 in 2015 to 11,012 in 2024, and Bentley's admit rate went from 42% to 45%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	11,012	4,961	45%
2023	10,482	5,077	48%
2022	9,662	5,592	58%
2021	9,311	5,674	61%
2020	8,298	4,798	58%
2019	9,017	4,213	47%
2018	9,252	3,998	43%
2017	8,867	3,915	44%
2016	8,281	3,836	46%
2015	8,346	3,532	42%

In fall 2024, 1,056 of the 4,961 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Bentley

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1240Far reachHold
1240–1280ReachHold
1290–1330TargetHold
1340 and upTargetSend

11001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Bentley SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	650	690	730
SAT total	1290	1340	1403
ACT composite	28	30	31

Of enrolled first-year students, 19% sent an SAT and 2% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Top 10% of their class: 34%; of new students who reported a rank

Bentley early decision and waitlist

Early decision

389 of 637 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision61%
All applicants45%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

1,665 applicants were offered a spot, 410 took it, and 225 were admitted from it.

55%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Bentley cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $37,930; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 87%
Median earnings: $120,959; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 4,653

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Bentley

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Bentley Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Bentley website
Bentley University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1290–1403, and the median was 1340. At 1340 or higher you're above half of them. Bentley admits 45% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$