Bentley University Acceptance Rate
Waltham, Massachusetts · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 10,482
- Admitted
- 5,077
- Yield
- 22.1%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Bentley University's acceptance rate has risen from 46.1% in 2014–15 to 48.4% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 7,477 to 10,482 (+40%) over that period.
Its 48.4% rate makes Bentley University more selective than about 85% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 61 tracked Massachusetts schools, it is more selective than about 69%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (52% for women vs 46% for men, a 6-point gap). Bentley University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 22.1% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 7,477 | 3,448 | 46.1% | 978 |
| 2015–16 | 8,346 | 3,532 | 42.3% | 915 |
| 2016–17 | 8,281 | 3,836 | 46.3% | 1,051 |
| 2017–18 | 8,867 | 3,915 | 44.2% | 1,018 |
| 2018–19 | 9,252 | 3,998 | 43.2% | 1,014 |
| 2019–20 | 9,017 | 4,213 | 46.7% | 944 |
| 2020–21 | 8,298 | 4,798 | 57.8% | 936 |
| 2021–22 | 9,311 | 5,674 | 60.9% | 1,019 |
| 2022–23 | 9,662 | 5,592 | 57.9% | 1,141 |
| 2023–24 | 10,482 | 5,077 | 48.4% | 1,120 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,268 | 2,221 | 52% |
| Men | 6,213 | 2,856 | 46% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 620–690 | 25% |
| SAT Math | 630–720 | |
| ACT Composite | 29–32 | 4% |
How Bentley University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Bentley University's acceptance rate?
Bentley University's acceptance rate is 48.4% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (5,077 admitted of 10,482 applicants).
Is Bentley University test optional?
Bentley University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Bentley University?
Bentley University received 10,482 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 5,077.
What SAT score do you need for Bentley University?
Admitted students at Bentley University typically scored 620–690 on SAT Reading/Writing and 630–720 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Bentley University getting harder to get into?
Bentley University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 46.1% in 2014–15 to 48.4% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.bentley.edu/.