Bentley University vs Clark University

Bentley University and Clark University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Bentley, renowned for its business programs, boasts a 67% acceptance rate, while Clark, known for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 60%. Bentley's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, while Clark's student body is more evenly distributed between undergraduate and graduate programs, with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Both universities offer a diverse range of majors, with Bentley specializing in business, accounting, and finance, and Clark offering strengths in psychology, biology, and English. With graduation rates of 85% and 83% respectively, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers or further education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals

	Bentley University	Clark University
Overview
Location	Waltham, Massachusetts	Worcester, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	60.9%	48.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $150	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $100
SAT range	1240 - 1413	1218 - 1403
ACT range	28 - 32	27 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	27.0%	17.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	9,311	8,151
Total number of admissions given out	5,674	3,915
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,019	505
Yield rate	18.0%	12.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$75,615	$62,302
Average net price	$41,708	$31,565
Tuition	$54,910	$49,950
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $11,000 Meal plan: $7,130	Room/dormitory: $6,000 Meal plan: $4,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	77.0% Average amount $30,491	95.0% Average amount $27,608
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,402	60.0% Average amount $5,282
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,755	9.0% Average amount $16,271

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,996 Men 60.6% Women 39.4%	2,302 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students	1,162 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	1,048 Men 49.3% Women 50.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	16.8%	23.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,350	1,633
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey New Hampshire	Mississippi New York Connecticut Maine New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Liberal Arts Multidisciplinary Studies Computer and Information Science Mathematics and Statistics	Business Mathematics and Statistics Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	79.0%
Dropout rate	4.0%	6.8%
Transferred out	7.9%	14.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Human Computer Interaction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,979 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $127,918 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,349 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $97,271 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,364 Year 2: $77,039 Year 3: $94,863 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,051 Year 2: $89,968 Year 3: $94,192 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $81,111 Year 3: $93,567 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,445 Year 2: $79,653 Year 3: $93,407 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,949 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $89,245 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $83,352 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,955 Year 2: $68,147 Year 3: $80,368 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,442 Year 2: $64,253 Year 3: $79,263	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,601 Year 2: $64,328 Year 3: $76,941 Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,259 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $68,708 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,937 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $58,038 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,649 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $50,210 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $48,148 Year 2: $44,418 Year 3: $49,665 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,833 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $49,591 Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $32,656 Year 2: $39,639 Year 3: $47,508 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,412 Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $46,715 Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,423 Year 3: $46,559 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $46,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Bentley University and Clark University?

Bentley University is primarily focused on business education, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in areas like accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Clark University, on the other hand, offers a broader liberal arts education with strengths in fields like psychology, geography, political science, and international development. While Bentley has a business core, Clark emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research across the arts and sciences.
How do the campus environments and locations differ between Bentley and Clark?

Bentley University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburban setting close to Boston. Its campus is more self-contained and has a strong focus on the student experience within the university. Clark University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, an urban environment. Its campus is integrated into the city, offering students more opportunities to engage with the local community and access urban resources.
What is the typical student body size and composition at each university?

Bentley University has a smaller student body, typically around 4,200 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students. This allows for smaller class sizes and a more personalized learning environment. Clark University has a similar undergraduate population, around 2,300, but a larger graduate student population, around 1,100. Clark's graduate programs contribute to a more diverse academic environment and research opportunities.
How do Bentley and Clark differ in terms of career services and internship opportunities?

Bentley University is renowned for its career services, with a strong emphasis on internships and job placement in the business world. Their career services are highly tailored to business-related fields. Clark University also offers career services, but with a broader focus that caters to students in various fields, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, and research institutions. Clark emphasizes connecting students with opportunities aligned with their diverse academic interests.
What are the key differences in the overall academic culture and learning environment?

Bentley University fosters a highly structured and career-oriented academic culture. The learning environment is focused on practical skills and real-world applications in the business sector. Clark University promotes a more open-ended and intellectually curious academic culture. The learning environment encourages critical thinking, independent research, and interdisciplinary exploration.
How do the costs of attending Bentley University and Clark University compare?

Generally, Bentley University tends to have a higher tuition cost compared to Clark University. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages, scholarships, and individual spending habits. It's essential to compare the net cost (cost after financial aid) for both institutions based on your specific financial situation.
What types of students typically thrive at Bentley University versus Clark University?

Students who are highly motivated to pursue a career in business and appreciate a structured, career-focused environment often thrive at Bentley University. Students who are intellectually curious, enjoy interdisciplinary learning, and are passionate about making a difference in the world often thrive at Clark University.
What are some popular majors at Bentley University and Clark University?

Popular majors at Bentley University include Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, and Information Technology. Popular majors at Clark University include Psychology, Political Science, International Development, Geography, and Biology.
How do the athletic programs compare between Bentley and Clark?

Bentley University competes in NCAA Division II athletics, with a strong emphasis on sports like basketball, hockey, and football. Clark University competes in NCAA Division III athletics, offering a variety of sports with a focus on student participation and a balance between academics and athletics.
What are the opportunities for studying abroad at Bentley and Clark?

Both Bentley University and Clark University offer study abroad programs. Bentley's programs often focus on business-related experiences in international markets. Clark's programs are more diverse, encompassing a wider range of academic disciplines and global locations, often with a focus on international development and cultural immersion.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Bentley University

University of Connecticut