Bentley University

Autumn on Johnson & Wales Campus

Bentley University is a business school of approximately 4500 undergraduate students in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. The campus is completely walkable and exterior staircases are even heated to prevent snow and ice from building up in the colder months!  

First-year students take core business classes, which helps them identify an area of business to specialize in, and leads to a minor in Business Administration for every Bentley graduate. Minors are also available in arts and science subjects. Bentley offers accelerated masters programs, and there is an honors program for undergraduates. BentleyPlus provides up to eleven additional microcredentials and competencies that students can earn to enhance their resumes, and the Career Development Center offers short courses on topics like networking and self-assessment. First-years also take a Falcon Discovery Seminar in the fall to acclimate to college-level work. The course is team-taught by a professor and an older student mentor and will include the same students as their orientation group. Regardless of their majors, all students take Intro to Computer Science, and ethics is a core part of the business-centered curriculum. Small class sizes are a priority at Bentley, and classes are capped at 35. The Academic Center is currently under construction to better meet students’ needs in the future. 

Grace Welcome Center at JWU
Cuisinart Center for Culinary Arts at JWU

Internships are central to how Bentley students prepare for their careers, and most participate in at least one during their college years. Typically, 30% of graduating seniors receive job offers after graduation from their internship employers. The University offers convenient access to the city via public transportation and campus shuttles, making it easy for students to pursue internships.

Bentley’s Falcon athletic teams compete in Division II, except for the Men’s Hockey team, which is Division I. Bentley has the largest university trading center in the country with 24 Bloomberg terminals. Clubs, intramural sports and service learning are all popular with Bentley students, and about 20% join the Greek system. Half of Bentley students study abroad for a semester, year, summer or as a part of a faculty-led trip tied to a course. Three quarters of students live on campus, but housing is available all four years for students who want it. Shuttles into Waltham and Harvard Square (Boston) make it easy to explore the communities around the campus. 

The admissions staff reviews applications holistically and submitting standardized test scores is optional. One in four students in last year’s incoming class submitted scores. About one third of the class was built through Early Decision; the rest was admitted through the Regular Decision round. Demonstrated interest is an important factor in admissions decisions, so be sure to connect with the admissions staff, ask questions and visit campus if you can. Bentley’s supplemental questions will be in the applicant portal after your application is received—they are optional, but answering them thoughtfully will count as demonstrating interest too! A clear enthusiasm for studying business is also important, so your application to Bentley should include all the ways you’re exploring that passion already. Scholarships are offered to three quarters of admitted students, with no separate application required. 

Fun Fact:

Bentley College changed its name to Bentley University in 2008 to reflect the expansion of their graduate programs. 

Notable Alumni:

  • Edward J. King - 66th Governor of Massachusetts (1979-1983)

  • Marcelo Claure - Bolivian-American entrepreneur & philanthropist. Founder of Brightstar (Likewize), Group Vice Chairman of Shein, former president of Sprint, former Executive Chairman of WeWork

  • Mike Mangini - Drummer for Dream Theater. Berklee College of Music professor

  • Amanda Hesser - Food writer, editor, cookbook author. Co-founder and CEO of Food52

  • Corina Smith - Venezuelan actress and pop star

  • Mackenzy Bernadeau - Retired NFL player. Played for the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys

  • Lisa Lutoff-Perlo - President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises

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