Founded in 1917 as the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance by Harry C. Bentley, the institution evolved from a specialized accounting school into a full university, earning its current name and university status in 2007. It is accredited by AACSB International in both business and accounting and is widely recognized for its career-oriented education, consistently ranking among the top schools in the nation for career services, internships, and job placement. Bentley is best known for blending rigorous business training with arts and sciences coursework, producing graduates who are both technically skilled and broadly educated.
Bentley's 163-acre campus in Waltham, Massachusetts, just ten miles west of Boston, offers a close-knit, residential community with a highly professional and collaborative culture. Distinctive strengths include accounting, finance, data analytics, and the Hoffman Global Business Center, which supports undergraduate experiential learning, along with the Bentley Service-Learning Center, the Pulse Center for Business Ethics, and a robust Cyber Security program. Students benefit from small class sizes, frequent co-ops and internships in the Boston area, and an active student life with hundreds of clubs and Division II athletics.
| Type | Private |
| Location | Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Total students | 5,600 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 11:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 44% |
| Graduation rate | 89% |
| Average starting salary | $78,000 |
| In-state tuition | $60,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $60,000 |
| Room & board | $17,500 |
| Average financial aid | $34,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 72% |
| SAT range | 1250-1400 |
| ACT range | 28-32 |
| Average GPA | 3.70 |
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.