Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs Northwestern University
- Bentley Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 13
- Northwestern Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Northwestern University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,167 vs Bentley University's $37,930, Northwestern University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Northwestern 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, 35% more than Northwestern University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Northwestern
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,167, roughly $8,763 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 8% 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); Northwestern in Social Sciences (16%). 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 Northwestern University. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $89,363.
Pick Northwestern University over Bentley University. Net price $29,167 vs $37,930.
Pick Bentley University over Northwestern University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.7%.
Pick Northwestern 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 Northwestern University are close on paper, but Northwestern 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
Northwestern University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Bentley University takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 to 1,533.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Northwestern 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, Northwestern University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,167, about $8,763 a year below Bentley University's $37,930. Graduates of Northwestern University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $35,052 before any change in aid. Choosing Northwestern 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 $89,363 at Northwestern University. That is a 35% advantage. Set against borrowing, Northwestern University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 35% 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
Northwestern 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 8% 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 Northwestern University, it is 1.7%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.1%.
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 Northwestern 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. Northwestern University saves about $8,763 a year, yet Bentley University graduates earn $31,596 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Northwestern University is harder to get into, with a 8% 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 Northwestern University leans toward Communications, Engineering. 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 Northwestern University's $29,167.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,023, against $15,000 at Northwestern University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Northwestern University's enrollment, and Bentley University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Northwestern University has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Northwestern University's enrollment of 9,201 far exceeds Bentley University's 4,474.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Northwestern holds onto its admits more tightly: 55% 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 23.0%). 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.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit
Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.
The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.
The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.
Rankings They Appear On
Bentley University and Northwestern University appear together in 4 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Bentley University ranks #2 — Bentley University outranks Northwestern University by 21 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Bentley's top program is Business Administration (90% of enrollment), while Northwestern leads with Sociology (16%).
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 Northwestern).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Northwestern University concentrates in Engineering. 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 Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 45% at Bentley University.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,167 after aid versus $37,930 at Bentley University.
Do Bentley University or Northwestern University graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,363 at Northwestern University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or Northwestern University?
Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
Bentley University vs Northwestern 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 1.7%.
Should you choose Bentley University or Northwestern University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Northwestern 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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