Understanding Bentley University Tuition Fees and Cost of Attendance

Planning for college expenses is a crucial part of the application process. Bentley University, renowned for its business programs, requires careful consideration of its tuition fees and overall cost of attendance. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these costs, how they have changed over time, and what financial aid options are available. Knowing what a school costs is Step #1 in managing college costs. The "Cost of Attendance" is the total amount of money the average student has to pay, WITHOUT any financial aid, to attend a particular school. Think of it as a school’s sticker price.

Tuition and Fees: A Detailed Look

Bentley University's tuition is $63,890. Compared with the national average cost of tuition of $46,950, Bentley University is more expensive. In 2020-2021, the average tuition and fees at Bentley University ran about $54,910 per year for students working on an undergraduate degree. There was no discount for in-state students.

These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. The figures provided for tuition and fees include support of ongoing technology services as well as new initiatives to support teaching, learning, and technology on campus and in the living spaces. The student activity fee covers operational funds for numerous student organizations and activities, which complement the academic experience through cultural, educational, social and recreational programs. These figures were previously represented as separate charges in the form of a technology fee and student activity fee.

Historical Tuition Trends

Bentley's tuition & fees has increased from $44,085 (2015) to $61,000 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 38.37% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $33,075 (year 2015) to $46,920 (year 2025). Bentley's tuition increase rate is higher than the Massachusetts's average increase rate of 13.54%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 29.50%.

Projected Costs

Take note of just how much the tuition and fees are increasing yearlyl. Tuition and Fees for 2025-2026 is $63,390.

Comprehensive Cost of Attendance (COA)

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. The Cost of Attendance contains both direct (billed) and indirect costs for the academic year. Direct costs include tuition, fees, and housing and food (for resident students). Indirect expenses are books, supplies, and personal expenses. The figures listed below are reasonable estimates of what you might expect to spend for one academic year at Bentley. An allowance is added for travel costs if you live beyond the New England/New York/New Jersey area.

For the current academic year 2024-2025, Bentley's COA is $83,840, which is increased by 4.85% from last year. The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 37.43% from 2015 ($61,005). At Bentley University, the total cost is $84,320.

Breakdown of Costs

Tuition and Fees: $63,390 (2025-2026)
Housing and Food: $20,930 (2025-2026). Housing and food costs may vary based on actual accommodations and meal plan selected. Housing and food estimates for students living in an off-campus apartment (not with parents or a relative) may differ slightly than those estimated for on-campus housing. The amount included in the standard resident budget for housing and food is based on the cost of a basic double dormitory room and the standard meal plan required for first-year students. If you choose more expensive accommodations, the additional cost incurred is not covered by need-based financial aid. Conversely, if you choose less-expensive accommodations, your financial aid is not reduced. Please note, financial aid is split evenly between terms although housing costs per term may vary.
Books and Supplies: $1,200 per year. The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,200, and it has not changed significantly since 2015. The figures provided for books and supplies and personal expenses are reasonable estimates based on the expenditures of a typical Bentley student. These estimates are evaluated and updated each year and actual costs may vary.
Personal Expenses: $1,550 per year.
New Student Fee: $250 (one-time fee for new first-year and transfer students).
Student Activity Fee: $500.
Health Insurance: $2,678 (subject to change annually). All students are also assessed a student health insurance fee of $2,678, which is subject to change annually and will be updated prior to the start of the new academic year. The fee can be waived if you can demonstrate comparable coverage under your family plan. You will receive more information on the waiver process with your fall term bill. Students can reference the fee chart for details.
International Student Fee: $230

Living Costs

The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 35.08% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 35.08% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025.

Financial Aid Options

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Types of Aid Available

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Read also: Bentley University Bahamas

Grants and Scholarships: Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation. Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Bentley University was $47,317. Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back. $42,674.
Loans: Loans must be paid back. Need-Based Loan Amount Loans must be paid back.$4,102. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $4,340.
Work-Study: Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.

Financial Aid Statistics

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 45%
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 99%
Average Aid Package Awarded: $47,713
Bentley University met 86% of its students’ financial aid need.
Additionally, 44% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023.

Important Dates

Financial Aid Application Due: January 15. The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
Priority Application Due: November 15. Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.
Notification Date: March 31. When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.

Net Price: What You Actually Pay

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. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price. Average Net Price $43,858 per year.

The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. In other words, this is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket. The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: $40,742
Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024): 52%
At Bentley University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,023. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $265.
Additionally, 15% of graduating students at Bentley University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $64,523 in private loan debt at graduation.

Is Bentley University Worth the Cost?

To determine the value of Bentley University, we're going to rely on reputable ranking lists. As a regional school, Bentley University may not have the national reputation of schools like UCLA or Harvard, but it's still considered to be one of the best schools in its class. Furthermore, Bentley University is known to be a high-value school in its category. This usually means that the net price is low compared to other schools of similar reputation. Overall, attending Bentley University is a solid option, especially if you believe it'll be a good fit for you.

tags: #bentley #university #tuition #fees #cost #of