Ninety nine percent of Bentley University’s undergraduate Class of 2018 are employed, attending or planning to attend graduate school, according to statistics reported six months after their graduation. Bentley graduates also reported an increase in salaries, with a median starting salary of $59,000, up from $57,000 last year.
More than 60 percent of the graduates credited their post-graduation success to Bentley’s No. 1 ranked Career Services Department, which year after year has been named among the best in the U.S. by the Princeton Review. Bentley was also recently ranked #1 in the nation by Princeton Review for providing internship opportunities for students.
Bentley’s 99 percent placement rate far exceeds the national average of 81.2 percent, as reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Bentley’s job placement statistics are compiled through a survey of graduates and research by the university’s Career Services staff. The responses represent 94 percent of Class of 2018 graduates, which is a higher and more accurate rate than many universities compile about their students’ post-graduation careers.
“We consistently hear from employers that Bentley graduates have the leadership, teamwork and hands-on learning experiences required to be successful in today’s evolving economy and job market, “ says Executive Director of Career Services Janet Ehl.
Members of Bentley’s Class of 2018 were hired by top companies and organizations. In addition to all of the major global accounting firms, Bentley graduates were hired by Amazon, Bloomberg, Epsilon, The Walt Disney Company, Liberty Mutual, Wayfair, Wellington Management Company, Boston Children’s Hospital, Bose Corporation, Rapid7, Anheuser-Busch, Guggenheim Partners, MullenLowe , Travelers and Synchrony Financial.
Other data about Bentley’s Class of 2018 graduates include:
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371 different employers hired Bentley graduates in 2018
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28 percent said they obtained jobs as a result of networking efforts
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62 percent of students said they obtained a job through Bentley’s Career Services Department, which hosts companies on-campus to recruit Bentley students, sponsors career fairs, facilitates faculty and staff referrals that lead to jobs, and help students secure internships that lead to full-time positions
See how a Bentley alum networked her way to a financial analyst job on Wall Street.
Bentley students begin career management first year with a Career Development Seminar where they start to identify their personal strengths and talents and find out how those can impact career decisions. They also create the career tools they will need including a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and elevator pitch. The seminar is optional but 99 percent of first year students enroll. Bentley also offers career development seminars designed for sophomores and juniors.
This approach has led to consistently high placement rates - for the last 10 years, 97 to 99 percent of Bentley graduates have been employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.