Brandeis University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Waltham, Massachusetts · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- Early Action
- 9,756
- Applicants
- 4,430
- Admitted45%
- 744
- Enrolled
- 17%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Selective45% admittedRanked #59 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #101 (tie), Computer Science #103 (tie), Economics #62 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Brandeis University (see the source), read on 2026-09-14.
Is Brandeis University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Brandeis University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Brandeis University is a private nonprofit university in Waltham, Massachusetts that admits about 45% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $35,736 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Business/Commerce, General and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 81% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Brandeis University is a private institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Brandeis University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 45%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1430 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $35,736 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Brandeis University?
60% of enrolled students at Brandeis University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.84, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does Brandeis University weight in admissions?
Brandeis University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
3- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
Important
4- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
Considered
10- Standardized test scores
- Interview
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Brandeis University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 700–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1370 |
| 50th percentile | 1430 |
| 75th percentile | 1470 |
| % submitting SAT | 28% |
| 25th percentile | 31 |
| 50th percentile | 32 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 8% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional since 2013; applicants choose on the Common App whether scores are considered. Merit aid considered either way.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Brandeis University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 39% |
| Top 25% of class | 76.5% |
| Top 50% of class | 97.1% |
| % submitting class rank | 19% |
How much does Brandeis University actually cost?
Published tuition is $68,080 for in-state students and $68,080 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,944 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $35,736 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 15% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $73,080 |
| Room and board | $20,260 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $35,736 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 97% |
| Average need-based grant | $61,952 |
| Average merit award, no financial need149 first-year students received one | $18,791 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 33% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $28,880 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $80 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Brandeis University
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
| Notification date | March 19 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 3 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 15 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 36% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 3 |
Will my child graduate from Brandeis University?
These predict outcomes at Brandeis University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Brandeis University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Brandeis University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Business/Commerce, General and Economics. Across all programs, Brandeis University confers roughly 851 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $66,306 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 154 | $66,306 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 127 | $96,146 |
| Economics | 125 | $100,387 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 114 | n/a |
| Public Policy Analysis | 111 | $68,486 |
| Computer Science | 99 | $132,874 |
| Political Science and Government | 61 | $75,110 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 60 | $57,832 |
Is Brandeis University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Brandeis University disclosed 8 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Brandeis University?
About 70% of undergraduates at Brandeis University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
Next steps for Brandeis University
Common questions parents ask about Brandeis University
What GPA do I need for Brandeis University?
60% of enrolled students at Brandeis University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.84, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Brandeis University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 700–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.
How much does Brandeis University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Brandeis University after grants and scholarships is $35,736 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $68,080. Budget against the net figure.
Is Brandeis University realistic for my child?
Brandeis University admits 45% of applicants, so 700–770 SAT Math is target range and below 700 is a reach. Then check the $35,736 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Brandeis University?
Brandeis University accepts about 45% of applicants out of roughly 9,756 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Brandeis University test-optional?
Yes. Brandeis University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Brandeis University?
About 81% of students at Brandeis University graduate within six years. 86% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Brandeis University?
Brandeis University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 36%, compared with its overall rate of 45%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does Brandeis University look for in applicants?
Brandeis University rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Brandeis University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Brandeis University is a private nonprofit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at Brandeis University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Brandeis University by annual graduates are Biology, General, Business/Commerce, General and Economics. The school awards about 851 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Brandeis University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Brandeis University reported 8 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Brandeis University?
At Brandeis University, 70% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Brandeis University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers