Bentley University vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: which has better ROI?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,684 in 1.2 years versus 2.1 years at Bentley University, on median earnings of $129,455 vs $120,959 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bentley University | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,930 | $25,171 |
| Total net cost | $151,720 | $100,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $120,959 | $129,455 |
| Median debt | $25,023 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 1.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,300,260 | $1,521,216 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bentley University or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, at $25,171 a year after aid versus $37,930 — a gap of $12,759 a year, or $51,036 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bentley University or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn more?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates report a median $129,455 ten years after entry, $8,496 more than the $120,959 at Bentley University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Bentley University or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $25,023 at Bentley University, a difference of $5,523. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, against 87% at Bentley University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.