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    Brandeis University

    brandeis.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    Brandeis University, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, was established in 1948 and is named after Louis D. Brandeis, the first Jewish justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Known for its research opportunities and strong programs in social sciences, humanities, and sciences, Brandeis emphasizes social justice and community service.

    There are currently 3,675 undergraduates at Brandeis and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition at Brandeis is $62,322.

    Brandeis University
    University University
    Universities are larger institutions that typically contain multiple different schools for different subjects. Students at these schools will be connected to a large group of peers and have many resources at their fingertips.
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.
    https://scholarships360.org/college-admissions/brandeis-supplemental-essays/ Supplemental
    Essay
    Brandeis University asks applicants to complete a supplemental essay. Check out the “Admissions” page for our essay guide!

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $81,914

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $46,475

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $35,439

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $62,322
    Books & Supplies
    $1,000
    Room & Board
    $17,092
    Other
    $1,500

    Estimated Cost:

    $81,914

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Brandeis is $81,914. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Brandeis would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Brandeis University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Brandeis need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Brandeis is 002133 and the CSS Profile Code is 3092.


    It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Using State Grants at Brandeis

    Massachusetts residents who are considering Brandeis should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.

    National Merit Scholarships

    If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Brandeis University? Brandeis offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Brandeis's website for more information!

    Pell Grants at Brandeis University

    15% of students at Brandeis University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Brandeis University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Brandeis students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Brandeis University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Brandeis or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    39%

    Admission Rate

    33

    Average ACT

    1433 is the median SAT score and 33 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Brandeis. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Does Brandeis have a supplemental essay?

    Yes, applicants to Brandeis University will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.


    Brandeis Supplemental Essay Guide

    Is Brandeis test-optional?

    Brandeis University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Brandeis University?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Brandeis University receive between a 31 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1350 and a 1510 on their SAT.

    November
    1

    Early Decision I

    January
    2

    Early Decision II

    January
    2

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Brandeis?

    Students must apply by January 2 to enroll at Brandeis during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Brandeis students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 2.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Brandeis?

    Applying to Brandeis with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 87%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Social Sciences

    19%

    19% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    19%

    19% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Psychology

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Mathematics

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Education

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 3,675

    Pell Grant 16%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 0%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%

    Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%

    Ethnic Diversity at Brandeis

    42% White

    21% International / Non-Citizen

    17% Asian / Pacific Islander

    8% Hispanic

    6% Black

    3% Multiracial

    2% Unknown

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $77,231

    Median Debt $25,648

    Debt 10 years after graduation $272

    Graduation Rate 87%

    What is the graduation rate at Brandeis University?

    87% of students who start at Brandeis University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 29% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Brandeis University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Brandeis University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $77,231. This is $26,840 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Brandeis take out in loans?

    Graduates of Brandeis have to take out a median of $25,648 in federal student loans. This is $12,148 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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