Bentley University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bentley University charges a net price of $37,930/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $151,720. Graduates earn a median $120,959 ten years after entry, $72,599/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.1 years — a 20-year net return of $1,300,260, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bentley University's 2.1-year payback ranks #81 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 94% of them, and #7 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $37,930/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $151,720 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $120,959 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $72,599/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,023 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $1,300,260 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bentley University's own numbers. Net price $37,930 × 4 years = $151,720 total. Median earnings $120,959 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $72,599 a year of premium. $151,720 ÷ $72,599 = 2.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $1,300,260. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bentley University students graduate with?
A median $25,023 in federal loans among completers, or 21% of the $120,959 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bentley University students graduate?
87% finish their degree. Spread the $151,720 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $174,391 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bentley University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $37,930 net price runs $13,047 above the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, or $52,188 more across the full degree.