Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs Duke University
- Bentley Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 13
- Duke Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Duke University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,612 vs Bentley University's $37,930, Duke University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Duke University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bentley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than Duke University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Duke
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,612, roughly $8,318 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bentley graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (90% of degrees); Duke in Engineering (15%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Bentley University over Duke University. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $97,800.
Pick Duke University over Bentley University. Net price $29,612 vs $37,930.
Pick Bentley University over Duke University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Duke University over Bentley University. 96% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bentley University and Duke University are close on paper, but Duke University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Bentley University takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 to 1,548.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Duke University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,612, about $8,318 a year below Bentley University's $37,930. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $33,272 before any change in aid. Choosing Duke University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Bentley University graduates report median earnings of $120,959, compared with $97,800 at Duke University. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Duke University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Bentley University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Duke University, it is 1.6%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bentley University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Duke University to keep costs and debt down; pick Bentley University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Duke University saves about $8,318 a year, yet Bentley University graduates earn $23,159 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Duke University is harder to get into, with a 6% admit rate, but Bentley University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bentley University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, while Duke University leans toward Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $37,930 runs well above Duke University's $29,612.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,023, against $13,000 at Duke University.
- Engineering-focused students: Duke University has the stronger engineering programs.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Duke University's enrollment, and Bentley University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Duke University has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Duke University's enrollment of 6,442 far exceeds Bentley University's 4,474.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Bentley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Bentley (61.1% Early Decision admit rate vs 17.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Bentley, where only about 21% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit
At Bentley University, students who are interested in business, technology, and social sciences will find a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration. With an acceptance rate of 45%, this private nonprofit school draws in a diverse group of around 4,474 students. The focus here is on practical skills and real-world applications, making programs in Business & Marketing, Computer Science, and Health Professions particularly popular.
When looking ahead to life after graduation, Bentley graduates see impressive financial outcomes. On average, they earn about $120,959 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure is significant because it reflects the university's strong emphasis on preparing students for successful careers. While 16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to affordability for those who need it, the overall financial picture remains favorable for graduates.
Considering the practicalities, the net price after aid stands at $37,930, which is manageable relative to the median debt of $25,023. This debt load is reasonable and allows many graduates to thrive in their early careers. Bentley is ideal for motivated individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and the broader community, setting themselves up for success in a competitive job market.
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Bentley University is featured on the Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Bentley's top program is Business Administration (90% of enrollment), while Duke leads with Mechanical Engineering (15%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bentley) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Duke).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Duke University concentrates in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bentley University or Duke University?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 45% at Bentley University.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or Duke University?
Duke University is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,612 after aid versus $37,930 at Bentley University.
Do Bentley University or Duke University graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,800 at Duke University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or Duke University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
Bentley University vs Duke University: which is better for social mobility?
Bentley University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Bentley University or Duke University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Duke University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bentley University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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