bentley university vs bryant university

Comparison between Rutgers University and Binghamton University

Subject Strength

Both Bentley University and Bryant University focus on business education. Bentley touts nationally acclaimed programs in finance, accounting, and business analytics with a unique blend of business, technology, and liberal arts. Bryant, built on the foundation of a long history of business education, focuses on international business, marketing, and applied learning experiences. Though U.S. News & World Report lists both business schools nationally, the precise rankings differ each year and are not posted on the schools' official websites. Candidates who would enjoy a technology-focused curriculum in business might favor Bentley, while candidates who are interested in an international business focus and marketing might find Bryant to be a good option.

General Information

Bentley University, established in 1917, is a private institution in Waltham, Massachusetts, on a 163-acre campus approximately 10 miles west of Boston. It has approximately 5,333 students (4,526 undergraduates and 807 graduate students, Fall 2024).
Bryant University, founded in 1863, is situated in Smithfield, Rhode Island, on a campus of approximately 428–435 acres. It enrolls approximately 3,275 students (with 3,005 undergraduates and 270 graduate students, Fall 2024). Bentley boasts a strong international student body presence, whereas Bryant's smaller student body encourages an intimate campus environment.

Acceptance Rate

Bentley's acceptance rate is approximately 45% (Fall 2024). The mid-50% SAT range of entering students is 1290–1403, although Bentley is test-optional, and no official average high school GPA is reported in its Common Data Set. The application fee is $75.
Bryant's acceptance rate is roughly 65% for the Class of 2028. Its mean SAT score is 1270, and its mean GPA is 3.60. The application fee is $50. This renders Bentley slightly more selective, whereas Bryant might be more open to a broader spectrum of applicants.

Location

Bentley's Waltham, Massachusetts, campus is just 9–10 miles from Boston, within reach of a financial, technological, and higher-education hub, and with a broad range of cultural and professional opportunities.
Bryant's Smithfield, Rhode Island, campus is approximately 12 miles from Providence, providing a calmer, suburban setting with access to Rhode Island's coast and local industries. Both options offer good opportunities for student involvement, but Bentley has the advantages of Boston's high-density corporate and academic network.

Housing and Costs

At Bentley, 2025–2026 room rates vary between approximately $18,880 for a single room and $23,280 for studio units, with meals adding up to overall room and board fees of nearly $20,930 per year. Off-campus rents differ, with no reported official average available, but Waltham's market is generally high.
At Bryant, 2025–2026 residence rates vary from approximately $11,180 (double room) to $16,074 (apartment suite single), with meal plans an extra $6,270–$7,430, depending on the plan. Off-campus Rhode Island housing is less costly than in the Boston area, although Bryant does not release official rental averages.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Bentley has strong career outcomes: the median starting salary for members of the Class of 2024 was $72,000, and 99% of graduates were working, in graduate school, or pursuing additional study within six months. Its Boston employer ties and focus on finance, analytics, and consulting make it particularly appealing for career-focused students.
Bryant also points to exceptional outcomes: 99% of the Class of 2024 found jobs or graduate school within six months. Although the precise official median salary is not released on Bryant's facts page, the university highlights that its graduates earned highest starting salaries in university history. Marketing, international business, and regional employer partnerships are the career strengths at Bryant.

Infrastructure

Bentley's academic infrastructure consists of the Adamian Academic Center and the Bentley Library, which enable in-depth research and technologically intensive programs. There are specialized centers like the Center for Business Analytics that provide students with hands-on experience using data and real business problem-solving.
Bryant's campus houses the George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology and the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library, providing up-to-date collaborative learning facilities and research assistance. Official statistics on library holdings differ, but both colleges place special emphasis on cutting-edge academic facilities — Bentley in technology, and Bryant with business and collaborative learning settings intergrated.