Decoding Bentley University's Tuition, Room, and Board Costs

Choosing a university is a significant decision, and understanding the financial implications is a crucial part of the process. Bentley University, renowned for its business programs, represents a substantial investment. This article breaks down the tuition, room, and board expenses at Bentley University, offering a comprehensive overview for prospective students and their families.

Understanding the Basic Costs

Bentley University's cost of attendance comprises several key components: tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, personal expenses, and fees. These costs can vary depending on your program of study, living arrangements, and individual spending habits.

Tuition and Fees

For undergraduates, the school's tuition and fees are $63,890. Tuition for all of Bentley’s graduate programs is billed at the per-course rate. In the 2025 - 2026 academic year the cost per course is $6,095. Thus, the annual total for part-time graduate programs (6 courses) is $36,570, while the annual total for full-time programs (9 courses) is $54,855. All MS programs require at least 10 courses (30 credits), while the MBA requires at least 12 courses (36 credits). Some programs require additional foundation courses that may be waived based on your academic and professional background.

Bentley University also charges several fees, including a $500 student activity fee. New first-year and transfer students are charged a one-time $250 new student fee.

Housing and Food

Housing and food costs may vary based on actual accommodations and the board plan selected. For first-year domestic residents, the estimated cost for housing and food is $20,930. Housing and food estimates for students living in an off-campus apartment (not with parents or a relative) may differ slightly from those estimated for on-campus housing. For off-campus domestic students, housing and food costs are based on nine months of enrollment, and estimated at $20,610. Off-Campus students are those designated as living in an off-campus apartment or house, maintaining rent/mortgage payments. Students commuting from the home of a parent or relative are expected to have reduced housing and food expenses.

Books and Supplies

On average, it is estimated that undergraduate students will spend $1,200 on books and supplies during the academic year. The average cost of books for off-campus domestic students is estimated at $1,980.

Personal Expenses

Personal expenses are estimated at $1,550 per year. All estimated expenses are based on averages and actual expenses will vary. Students wishing to borrow for expenses greater than those listed can do so by documenting their costs and submitting a request for a budget increase.

Health Insurance

All students are also assessed a student health insurance fee, which is subject to change annually and will be updated prior to the start of the new academic year. Student health insurance is required, and other non billed (noted by “estimate”) costs are reasonable estimates. For the 2025-26 academic year, the health insurance fee is $2,678. The fee can be waived if you can demonstrate comparable coverage under your family plan. Citizens are automatically enrolled in the Bentley student health insurance plan.

Total Costs: A Breakdown

To provide a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the total estimated costs for different student categories for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Total for First-Year Domestic Residents: $87,820
Total First-Year International Students: $90,728 (includes international student fee and health insurance)
Total Annual Costs for Off-Campus Domestic Students: $26,818

The billed costs for domestic and international students are the same.

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Graduate Programs Costs

Tuition for all of Bentley’s graduate programs is billed at the per-course rate. Total tuition for your program can be estimated based on the number of courses required. All MS programs require at least 10 courses (30 credits), while the MBA requires at least 12 courses (36 credits). Some programs require additional foundation courses that may be waived based on your academic and professional background. At Bentley, this means enrolling in at least three courses per term during the fall and spring semesters (summer enrollment is optional). may choose to enroll part-time.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Bentley University recognizes that a quality education is a significant investment. The university offers various financial aid options to help students and families manage the costs.

Financial Aid Packages

Forty-three percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $39,699. The average net price is $44,349 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Bentley University offers merit-based scholarships to a select number of qualified applicants. Recipients are selected based on criteria that includes their previous academic and professional achievements, test scores, and skills or attributes that suggest a unique contribution to their incoming class.

Dean’s Leadership Scholarships

Through partnership agreements with select national and local organizations, Bentley offers a limited number of partial to full Dean’s Leadership scholarships for academically qualified members enrolling in the MBA program with endorsement from their organization.

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Financial Aid Details

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 45.4%Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 99.44%Average Aid Packages Awarded: $47,713Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $42,674Need-Based Loan Amount: $4,102Debt at Graduation: $40,742

Financial Aid Dates

Application Due: Jan 15Notification Date: Mar 31

External Scholarships and Loans

Students can also explore external scholarship opportunities and loan programs to help finance their education.

Study Abroad Costs

Bentley approved study abroad programs follow the Bentley home school tuition policy. The tuition of the host institution abroad may differ from Bentley tuition. Students pay an administrative fee to Bentley and all other program costs are paid directly to the program provider or host institution.

Semester Programs

The enrollment deposit you paid will be applied to your student account balance. An e-bill notification will be generated by the Office of Student Financial Services approximately 45-60 days prior to your departure. All students are required to resolve their student account balance 30 days prior to departure. This includes completing all loan requirements and waiving or enrolling in the Bentley health insurance. Students studying abroad for the fall and spring semesters are eligible to sign up for the five month payment plan. If you will be receiving loan funds or outside scholarship funds via paper check(s), you must complete a Power of Attorney so that those payments and checks can be processed in a timely manner.

Summer Programs, Faculty-led International Courses & Global Business Electives

The balances for summer programs and faculty-led international courses are due upon receipt of the invoice. Financial Aid and payment plans do not apply to these programs. Merit scholarships do not apply to Faculty-Led International Courses or Global Business Elective courses. However, it may be possible to obtain loans to fund these opportunities. Estimated budget sheets can be found on each course's program page.

Administrative Fees

As part of your study abroad program, your student account will be charged a $500 administrative fee for summer programs, $500 fee for semester programs, and a $125 administrative fee for faculty-led international courses and non-Bentley programs. This fee covers the administrative expenses of offering students the opportunity to participate in a Bentley Study Abroad program while still meeting the academic credit requirements of Bentley. Every student receives services covered by the fee, such as advising on study abroad options, using office resources, assistance with program application procedures, advising on your host institution and country, faculty review of courses, pre-departure resource tools, pre-departure orientation, transcript processing, etc.

Why Pay Bentley Tuition During Study Abroad?

The home school tuition policy for Bentley-sponsored study abroad programs allows Bentley students to earn Bentley credits, instead of transfer credits, for academic work overseas. This results in greater flexibility in fulfilling Bentley requirements abroad. The home school tuition policy also allows Bentley students to maintain their full financial assistance package to fund a semester abroad, ensuring that students of varying need levels can take advantage of educational opportunities overseas.

Payment Options and Plans

Bentley University offers several payment options to help students manage their expenses:

Payment Plans: Bentley University has developed a payment plan which allows students to split up their balance owed on their student account over a maximum of four payments for a nominal fee of $35.
Employer Reimbursement: Bentley University recognizes that employers may pay some costs on behalf of students/employees. These agreements are made between the student and their employer and are not contractual agreements with the University. We do not bill companies/employers for student tuition.

Consequences of Unpaid Balances

It is crucial to resolve your student account balance by the due date to avoid penalties. If the balance is not resolved by the due date, a financial hold will be placed on the account. This financial hold will prevent students from registering for classes, changing their course schedule, participating in senior week activities, the graduation ceremony and from obtaining diplomas. Also, accounts with unresolved balances are subject to late payment fees of $100.00 each. If a balance remains unpaid the account will be assigned to the Bentley University Collection Department. If an acceptable payment arrangement cannot be reached, the account will be assigned to a collection agency. The account will be reported in a default/collection agency status to the credit bureaus.

Additional Financial Considerations

Tuition Insurance: Bentley University has partnered with GradGuard to offer tuition insurance. The insurance provides 100% reimbursement for tuition, room, board, and most other fees.
Contract Release: Although payable by semester, room charges are for the entire academic year. If a student believes they have an extenuating circumstance they may request permission to terminate the housing contract by completing and submitting the appropriate Contract Release Form available on the Housing Portal. Submitting this form does not automatically grant you a release from the Housing and Meal Plan Contract, as contract releases are not granted often. If a student submits a Contract Release Form after the release date outlined in the housing contract, the Director of the Residential Center or their designee will make a determination regarding the request after it is received. If the request is declined, then a student has the opportunity to appeal to a committee of university representatives who will make the final determination. The committee of university representatives will meet two (2) times per academic year to review appeals. If the request is approved, the housing assignment will be pro-rated and the student will pay a contract release fee.

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