Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

Brandeis University admitted 45.4% of applicants university-wide (4,430 of 9,756).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide45.4%4,4309,756
In-state55.8%1,0361,858
Out-of-state63.7%2,7524,322
International applicants18.0%6423,576
Early Decision (binding)35.6%242680
Men39.9%1,6844,219
Women49.6%2,7425,532

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 35.6%, vs 45.4% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Also offers Early Action (closes Nov 3) — the Common Data Set doesn't publish EA admit counts.

Of 4,430 admitted students, 744 enrolled (16.8% yield).

Brandeis University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

SAT (mid-50%)
1370–1470
ACT (mid-50%)
31–34
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.50–4.00

Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)

Brandeis University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $97,758/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$73,080
Fees, housing, food, books & other$24,678
Sticker cost of attendance$97,758/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$13,363
$30k–48k$15,135
$48k–75k$20,536
$75k–110k$26,784
Over $110k$54,885

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Presidential Scholarship — $20,000 per year (Presidential)
  • Brandeis Achievement Award — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Dean’s Scholarship — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Justice Brandeis Scholarship — $10,000 per year (Merit)
  • Brandeis Grant — Varies (Need Based)
  • Mazursky Award — Full tuition (Full Tuition)

International applicants

Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.

  • Presidential Scholarship — $20,000 per year (Presidential)
  • Brandeis Achievement Award — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Dean’s Scholarship — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Justice Brandeis Scholarship — $10,000 per year (Merit)
  • Brandeis Grant — Varies (Need Based)
  • Mazursky Award — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
  • Wien International Scholarship Program — Full demonstrated need (International Aid)

Brandeis University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application or Coalition Application
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Senior Midyear Grades
  • School Report
  • Counselor Recommendation
  • Teacher Recommendation
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application or Coalition Application
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Senior Midyear Grades
  • School Report
  • Counselor Recommendation
  • Teacher Recommendation
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Brandeis University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 1 college-specific supplement:

  1. Why are you interested in Brandeis University? (250 words)250 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$77,231
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
86%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
86%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$25,648
At graduation

Brandeis University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #69
  • WSJ: #324
  • Forbes: #117
  • Niche: #136
  • QS: #741

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-03Early Action — Non-binding early round
  • 2026-11-03Early Decision — Binding early round
  • 2027-01-15Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Brandeis University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C21–C22 · 2025

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Social sciences (19%), Biological & life sciences (19%), Psychology (8%).

Student–faculty ratio: 8:1 · 59% of class sections have under 20 students.

Brandeis University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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