From a small accounting school to a global leader in business-focused higher education

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1917 with just 30 students, Bentley University has evolved from a specialized accounting school into a prominent institution in Waltham, Massachusetts. Today, it balances a rigorous business curriculum with arts and sciences, consistently ranking as a top destination for career services and innovative undergraduate education in the North.

Harry C. Bentley established the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in 1917 after departing Boston University. The school initially operated out of various Boston locations, with 921 Boylston Street serving as its heart for many years. Despite the economic pressures of the Great Depression, the institution maintained stability, though it faced a significant enrollment decline during World War II. The school's decision to admit women in 1942 proved vital to its survival, and it has remained coeducational ever since.

The institution underwent a major transformation in the 1960s under president Thomas Lincoln Morison, who oversaw the move to a new campus in Waltham. Construction on this site spanned from 1963 to 1968. By 1971, the college gained accreditation to confer Bachelor of Arts degrees, and in 1973, it began offering graduate programs. The name officially changed to Bentley College, and later, in 2008, it became Bentley University. The school has continued to expand its global footprint, including a partnership established in 2002 with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance.

Bentley’s academic culture is deeply integrated with practical application. The Bentley Investment Group, founded in 1997 with $250,000, allows students to manage a portion of the university's endowment. Beyond finance, the university supports diverse student-led media, including the newspaper The Vanguard and the radio station WBTY. Athletics also play a significant role, with the university fielding 23 varsity teams in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the men's hockey program competes at the Division I level. Today, the university maintains high admission standards, with a 48% acceptance rate in 2024 and an average high school GPA of 3.75 for admitted students.

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