Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Bentley Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 13
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Bentley University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $37,930 compared to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's $36,228 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute'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, 19% more than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 45% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rensselaer Polytechnic
- Lower cost: Average net price of $36,228, roughly $1,702 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,750, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bentley graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (90% of degrees); Rensselaer Polytechnic in Engineering (42%). 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $102,051.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Bentley University. Net price $36,228 vs $37,930.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Bentley University. 3% mobility rate vs 2.9%.
Pick Bentley University over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 88% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bentley University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Bentley University is the harder admit. It takes 45% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 to 1,456.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Bentley 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $36,228, about $1,702 a year below Bentley University's $37,930. Graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute also borrow less: median debt of $23,750, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,808 before any change in aid. Choosing Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 $102,051 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. That is a 19% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bentley University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 19% 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
Bentley University graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3%; at Bentley University, it is 2.9%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.7%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute saves about $1,702 a year, yet Bentley University graduates earn $18,908 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Bentley University is harder to get into, with a 45% admit rate, but Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts the higher mobility rate, at 3%. 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, Social Sciences, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute leans toward Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bentley holds onto its admits more tightly: 21% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Rensselaer Polytechnic — 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 57.9%). 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.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 5,700 students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, is a great fit for those looking to dive deep into STEM fields. With programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Mathematics, it attracts students who are serious about blending technical skills with practical applications. The acceptance rate of 63% means there's room for a diverse range of applicants, making it accessible without compromising on the quality of education.
After graduation, Rensselaer alumni can expect solid financial outcomes. With a ten-year earnings average of $102,051, students typically see a significant return on their investment in education. That’s a strong indicator of how well graduates navigate the workforce, especially in fields like engineering and tech, which are in high demand. This financial success is paired with a net price of $36,228 after aid, making it a reasonable choice for those who are willing to invest in their future.
When it comes to affordability, the median debt for graduates is $23,750, which is quite manageable given the earning potential. The 20% Pell Grant rate suggests that there's support for low-income students, but the school also attracts a mix of others who thrive on the collaborative and rigorous environment. If you're motivated, willing to engage deeply with your studies, and interested in a strong career trajectory, Rensselaer could be a great match for you.
Rankings They Appear On
Bentley University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute appear together in 9 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Bentley University ranks #2 — Bentley University outranks Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by 13 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Bentley's top program is Business Administration (90% of enrollment), while Rensselaer Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (42%).
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Bentley University is harder to get into, admitting 45% of applicants compared with 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is more affordable, with an average net price of $36,228 after aid versus $37,930 at Bentley University.
Do Bentley University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $102,051 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Bentley University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 83%.
Bentley University vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3% versus 2.9%.
Should you choose Bentley University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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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