Brandeis University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, serving roughly 3,618 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 40.50% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $77,231 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $68,080
- 2024 Average Net Price: $35,736 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 40.50% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 3,618 99.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 86.03%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 16.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 74.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1462
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,896
- Applicants (IPEDS): 11,282
- Room & Board: $19,944 annual estimate
Brandeis University: what the data shows
Common questions about Brandeis University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Brandeis University?
Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (ZIP 02454-9110).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Brandeis University public or private?
Brandeis University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Brandeis University cost?
Published tuition: $68,080.
Average net price after aid: $35,736.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $13,363 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,135 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,536 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $26,784 |
| $110,001+ | $54,885 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $272,320.
How hard is it to get into Brandeis University?
Admission rate: 40.50%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1462 and midpoint ACT 33.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Brandeis University?
Total enrollment: 3,618 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,896 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,573 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Brandeis University?
150%-time completion rate: 86.03%.
First-year retention: 87.0%.
What do graduates of Brandeis University earn?
Median earnings: $52,967 six years after entry; $77,231 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,648.
14.97% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Brandeis University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (151 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (115 completions)
- Health Policy Analysis (114 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (110 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (105 completions)
- Computer Science (96 completions)
- Neuroscience (72 completions)
- Management Science (69 completions)
- Financial Mathematics (52 completions)
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management (52 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Brandeis University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 40.50%; completion rate 86.03%; median earnings $77,231 at 10 years; net price $35,736. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$68,080
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Brandeis University was $68,080.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$35,736
2024 Value
In 2024 Brandeis University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $35,736.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$142,944 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$35,736 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$272,320 4-Year Tuition
$19,944 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$89,024 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$356,096 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Brandeis University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
14.97% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
28.22% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Brandeis University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Brandeis University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $45,856 | $45,856 | $29,578 |
| 2014 | $47,558 | $47,558 | $28,004 |
| 2015 | $49,598 | $49,598 | $28,370 |
| 2016 | $51,245 | $51,245 | $31,078 |
| 2017 | $53,537 | $53,537 | $31,308 |
| 2018 | $55,395 | $55,395 | $37,688 |
| 2019 | $57,561 | $57,561 | $31,165 |
| 2020 | $57,615 | $57,615 | $33,663 |
| 2021 | $60,006 | $60,006 | $29,959 |
| 2022 | $62,322 | $62,322 | $35,439 |
| 2023 | $64,946 | $64,946 | $33,885 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
40.50% Acceptance Rate
11,282 Total Applicants
3,984 Students Admitted
865 First-Time Students Enrolled
21.71% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1462
ACT Average: 33
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.80
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Brandeis University reported total enrollment of about 3,618 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 43% male and 57% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (41.4%), Non-Resident Alien (19.3%), and Asian (17.7%). About 14.97% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 16.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Brandeis University in 2024 is 3,618 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,896 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,573 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
87.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 41.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
77.09% 100% Completion Time
86.03% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 77.09% of students graduating from Brandeis University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 54% male / 46% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 33% male / 67% female
- Health Policy Analysis: 27% male / 73% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Brandeis University.
Return on Investment
$25,648 Median Student Debt
$77,231 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
33.21% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
440.29% Return on Investment
3.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Brandeis University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 68 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 151 completions
2. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 115 completions
3. Health Policy Analysis: 114 completions
4. Business/Commerce, General: 110 completions
5. Experimental Psychology: 105 completions
6. Computer Science: 96 completions
7. Neuroscience: 72 completions
8. Management Science: 69 completions
9. Financial Mathematics: 52 completions
Most popular programs at Brandeis University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Brandeis University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Brandeis University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,570
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $21,670
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Brandeis University is a private non-profit institution located in Waltham, MA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Health Policy Analysis. Enrollment is approximately 3,618 students. Student body composition includes White (41.4%), Non-Resident Alien (19.3%), Asian (17.7%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 40.50%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1462. The 150%-time completion rate is 86.03%. Approximately 14.97% of students receive Pell Grants. About 16.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 86.03% graduation rate, Brandeis University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 68 distinct degree programs, Brandeis University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Brandeis University located?
Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA.
What is Brandeis University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Brandeis University is 40.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 11,282 applicants and 3,984 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Brandeis University cost?
Reported tuition is $68,080 and average net price is $35,736 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $19,944 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Brandeis University?
Brandeis University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,896 students, White (41.4%), Non-Resident Alien (19.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Brandeis University?
About 16.3% of students at Brandeis University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Brandeis University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Brandeis University reports midpoint SAT about 1462 and midpoint ACT about 33.
What do graduates of Brandeis University earn?
Median earnings are $52,967 six years after entry and $77,231 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Brandeis University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 86.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Brandeis University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,648.
Is Brandeis University public or private?
Brandeis University is a private nonprofit institution located in Waltham, MA.
Is Brandeis University an HBCU?
No. Brandeis University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Brandeis University a tribal college?
No. Brandeis University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.