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Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a private campus in Waltham proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Brandeis University — 19.3% of its 3,618 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$12,366

family income
under $30k

$15,077

$30–48k

$17,974

$48–75k

$26,231

$75–110k

$53,720

over $110k

Average net price

$35,7362023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Brandeis University rose from $26,050 (2008) to $35,736 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$26,050
2009	$26,853
2010	$28,761
2011	$25,503
2012	$29,578
2013	$28,004
2014	$28,370
2015	$31,078
2016	$31,308
2017	$37,688
2018	$31,165
2019	$33,663
2020	$29,959
2021	$35,439
2022	$33,885
2023	$35,736

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$86,4482024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Brandeis University rose from $50,148 (2009) to $86,448 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$50,148
2010	$51,992
2011	$53,957
2012	$56,395
2013	$58,850
2014	$61,023
2015	$63,222
2016	$65,954
2017	$68,206
2018	$70,848
2019	$73,266
2020	$76,044
2021	$74,091
2022	$79,342
2023	$82,123
2024	$86,448

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2001	$27,076
2002	$28,164
2003	$29,875
2004	$31,072
2005	$32,500
2006	$34,035
2007	$35,702
2008	$37,294
2013	$45,856
2014	$47,558
2015	$49,598
2016	$51,245
2017	$53,537
2018	$55,395
2019	$57,561
2020	$57,615
2021	$60,006
2022	$62,322
2023	$64,946

IPEDS Published price 2001–02 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $68,080 before grants and other attendance costs. At Brandeis University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 3,618 undergrads, Brandeis University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

86% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Brandeis University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

86%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Brandeis University has held near 86% from Fall 1995 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	80.5%
1992 cohort	78.6%
1993 cohort	80.7%
1995 cohort	84.4%
1996 cohort	85.2%
1997 cohort	84.3%
1998 cohort	88.8%
1999 cohort	88.3%
2000 cohort	88.1%
2001 cohort	88.8%
2002 cohort	89.1%
2003 cohort	87%
2004 cohort	90.7%
2005 cohort	91.2%
2006 cohort	89.9%
2007 cohort	89.6%
2008 cohort	90.8%
2009 cohort	86.5%
2010 cohort	89.9%
2011 cohort	90%
2012 cohort	88%
2013 cohort	87.3%
2014 cohort	89.2%
2015 cohort	87.5%
2016 cohort	87.3%
2017 cohort	86.1%
2018 cohort	86%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$17,125	$13,750
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$17,125	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$17,125	$3,770
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$17,125	$2,688
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$17,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$17,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$17,125	$14,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	—	$16,250
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,125	$14,375
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,125	$4,438
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,125	$5,750
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$17,125	$6,167
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$20,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$25,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$27,000	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$27,000	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$26,852	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$26,150	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$25,797	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$25,648	$10,380

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$52,967

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$69,857

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$77,231

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Brandeis University admitted 4,237 of 10,462 applicants in Fall 2024. The 40.5% rate describes that application pool.

40.5%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $64,946 tuition · 2023–24 3,618 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1390–15201600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Brandeis University received 10,462 applications and admitted 4,237 (40.5%), with 735 enrolling.

Brandeis University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Brandeis University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 690–750 and Math was 700–770 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1390–1520 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	690	730	750
SAT Math	700	740	770
ACT Composite	31	32	34

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

40.5%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	40.7%
Fall 2002	42.1%
Fall 2003	43.7%
Fall 2004	43.7%
Fall 2005	40.3%
Fall 2006	38%
Fall 2007	36.3%
Fall 2008	34.4%
Fall 2009	32.4%
Fall 2010	40.4%
Fall 2011	40%
Fall 2012	39.1%
Fall 2013	37%
Fall 2014	35.2%
Fall 2015	34%
Fall 2016	33.4%
Fall 2017	34.2%
Fall 2018	31.1%
Fall 2019	29.9%
Fall 2020	33.4%
Fall 2021	39.1%
Fall 2022	39.4%
Fall 2023	35.3%
Fall 2024	40.5%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1390–1520Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1240	1430
Fall 2002	1257	1420
Fall 2003	1250	1440
Fall 2004	1250	1440
Fall 2005	1260	1440
Fall 2006	1270	1440
Fall 2007	1260	1460
Fall 2008	1280	1460
Fall 2009	1290	1450
Fall 2010	1260	1460
Fall 2011	1230	1450
Fall 2012	1230	1450
Fall 2013	1230	1470
Fall 2014	1250	1480
Fall 2015	1250	1470
Fall 2016	1270	1480
Fall 2017	1280	1470
Fall 2018	1280	1500
Fall 2019	1350	1520
Fall 2020	1320	1510
Fall 2021	1370	1530
Fall 2022	1370	1530
Fall 2023	1390	1530
Fall 2024	1390	1520

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

31–34Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	26	31
Fall 2003	28	33
Fall 2004	28	33
Fall 2005	28	33
Fall 2006	28	33
Fall 2007	27	32
Fall 2008	28	32
Fall 2009	29	32
Fall 2010	27	31
Fall 2011	28	32
Fall 2012	28	32
Fall 2013	28	32
Fall 2014	29	33
Fall 2015	29	32
Fall 2016	29	33
Fall 2017	29	33
Fall 2018	29	33
Fall 2019	30	33
Fall 2020	31	33
Fall 2021	31	34
Fall 2022	31	34
Fall 2023	31	34
Fall 2024	31	34

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

3,618Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Brandeis University rose from 3,014 (Fall 2002) to 3,618 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,014
Fall 2003	3,118
Fall 2004	3,158
Fall 2005	3,215
Fall 2006	3,257
Fall 2007	3,203
Fall 2008	3,169
Fall 2009	3,279
Fall 2010	3,304
Fall 2011	3,493
Fall 2012	3,570
Fall 2013	3,603
Fall 2014	3,715
Fall 2015	3,610
Fall 2016	3,597
Fall 2017	3,624
Fall 2018	3,627
Fall 2019	3,678
Fall 2020	3,481
Fall 2021	3,577
Fall 2022	3,675
Fall 2023	3,663
Fall 2024	3,618

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

87%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Brandeis University has held near 87% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	94%
Fall 2003 cohort	94%
Fall 2004 cohort	94%
Fall 2005 cohort	96%
Fall 2006 cohort	94%
Fall 2007 cohort	93%
Fall 2008 cohort	94%
Fall 2009 cohort	92%
Fall 2010 cohort	94%
Fall 2011 cohort	95%
Fall 2012 cohort	93%
Fall 2013 cohort	93%
Fall 2014 cohort	92%
Fall 2015 cohort	94%
Fall 2016 cohort	94%
Fall 2017 cohort	92%
Fall 2018 cohort	93%
Fall 2019 cohort	90%
Fall 2020 cohort	91%
Fall 2021 cohort	92%
Fall 2022 cohort	90%
Fall 2023 cohort	87%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Brandeis University

15% of Brandeis University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Brandeis University as a primarily residential campus of 3,618 undergraduates — and 87% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Brandeis University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1390–1520 — their midpoint is above the MA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Brandeis University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Brandeis University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Brandeis University40.5%

Massachusetts median70.3%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Brandeis University$68,080

Massachusetts median$46,700

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Brandeis University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Brandeis University$77,231

Massachusetts median$62,832

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Brandeis University, Massachusetts and national reference values
Metric & basis	Brandeis University	Massachusetts median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	40.5%	70.3%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$68,080	$46,700	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$77,231	$62,832	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Brandeis University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Brandeis University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 19 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$123,460
Business/Commerce, General	$108,405
Economics	$95,872
Mathematics	$85,681
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services	$78,746
Public Policy Analysis	$75,580
Political Science and Government	$74,018
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$73,936
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies	$73,256
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$68,179
Research and Experimental Psychology	$67,838
International/Globalization Studies	$66,366
Sociology	$65,481
English Language and Literature, General	$62,291
History	$59,426
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	$58,676
Biology, General	$58,384
Anthropology	$57,423
Area Studies	$54,306

These 19 fields listed for Brandeis University measure earnings after completion. The $77,231 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 14 additional Brandeis University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Brandeis University report?

Brandeis University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1390–1520 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Brandeis University's acceptance rate?

40.5% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 4,237 admitted from 10,462 applicants.

How much does Brandeis University cost?

At Brandeis University, tuition is $68,080. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Brandeis University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $77,231. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Massachusetts

Laboure College of Healthcare — 50% admitted
Berklee College of Music — 43.5% admitted
Bentley University — 45.1% admitted
Clark University — 39.5% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.