Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs Tufts University
- Bentley Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 16
- Tufts Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bentley University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Tufts University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $39,998 compared to Bentley University's $37,930. Students who choose Bentley University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $120,959 at ten years.
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, 45% more than Tufts University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $37,930, roughly $2,068 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Tufts
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% 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); Tufts in Social Sciences (20%). 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 Tufts University. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick Bentley University over Tufts University. Net price $37,930 vs $39,998.
Pick Bentley University over Tufts University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 2.1%.
Pick Tufts University over Bentley University. 93% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bentley University and Tufts University 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
Tufts University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Bentley University takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 to 1,513.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Tufts 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, Bentley University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $37,930, about $2,068 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,272 before any change in aid. Choosing Bentley 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 $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 45% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 45% 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
Tufts University graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% 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 Tufts University, it is 2.1%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.4%.
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 Bentley University to keep costs and debt down.
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
Tufts University is harder to get into, with a 11% 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, while Tufts University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,023, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
- Engineering-focused students: Tufts University has the stronger engineering programs.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Tufts University's enrollment, and Bentley University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Tufts University has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Tufts University's enrollment of 7,061 far exceeds Bentley University's 4,474.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bentley offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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.
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
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 Tufts leads with Sociology (20%).
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 Tufts).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Tufts 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 Tufts University?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 45% at Bentley University.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or Tufts University?
Bentley University is more affordable, with an average net price of $37,930 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Bentley University or Tufts University graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or Tufts University?
Tufts University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Bentley University vs Tufts 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 2.1%.
Should you choose Bentley University or Tufts University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bentley University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Tufts University if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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