College Intel
← Back to colleges

Brandeis University

Private

Waltham, MA

Visit website ↗

Brandeis University, in Waltham, MA, is a private mid-sized school, enrolling around 3,618 students. Admissions are moderately selective here -- roughly 41% of applicants get in. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer Science, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $123,460/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate41%
SAT range1390–1520
ACT range31–34
Undergrads3,618
Yield (admits who enroll)25%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$86,448
4-year grad rate86%
Median earnings, 10yr out$77,231

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Brandeis University's numbers?

Check your chances here

How Brandeis University weighs your application

From Brandeis University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
First generationVery important
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationConsidered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
BUILD YOUR FIT SCORESee how Brandeis University actually weighs your profile, free, no account needed
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Brandeis University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans28%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out83%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$73,256/yr
Area Studies$54,306/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$68,179/yr
Biology, General$58,384/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business/Commerce, General$108,405/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$123,460/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$62,291/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$78,746/yr
History
History$59,426/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$85,681/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
International/Globalization Studies$66,366/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$73,936/yr
Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology$67,838/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Policy Analysis$75,580/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$95,872/yr
Political Science and Government$74,018/yr
Sociology$65,481/yr
Anthropology$57,423/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$58,676/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity2,950
Typical room charge$9,746
Typical board charge$7,550

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Brandeis University look for in applicants?

Per Brandeis University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, first generation as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Brandeis University's acceptance rate?

Brandeis University in Waltham, MA admits approximately 41% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Brandeis University?

Admitted students at Brandeis University typically score between 1390–1520 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Brandeis University?

Admitted students at Brandeis University typically score between 31–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Brandeis University cost?

Brandeis University's total cost of attendance is reported at $86,448 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Brandeis University?

Brandeis University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Brandeis University require students to live on campus?

No -- Brandeis University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

Comparing Brandeis University against another school?

Open the comparison view