Brandeis University
Waltham, MA · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 40.5%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 11,282
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 3,984
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 865
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 22%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 39%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 31%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 690–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 700–770
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 31% / 11%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $86,448
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,080
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,080
- Median debt at graduation
- $25,648
- Students with federal loans
- 28%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 86%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 87%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $44,493
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $77,231
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 3,618
- Graduate students
- 1,573
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 10 : 1
- Women
- 57%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 15%
- Full-time faculty
- 74%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Ronald D. Liebowitz
- Main phone
- (781) 736-2000
- Address
- 415 South St, Waltham, MA 02454-9110
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 2 | December 15 |
| Early Action | November 2 | February 1 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 15 | February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir
- Application fee
- $80 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Recommendations
- 1 secondary school official + 1 core-subject teacher
Testing: Standardized test scores optional
Financial aid policies
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: All applicants considered for merit scholarships; no separate application
- Brandeis Commitment: free or half tuition for families earning up to $200,000; meets 100% of need in first year
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 35.6% (242 of 680)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 1,717 / 771 / 206
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: brandeis.edu, brandeis.edu, brandeis.edu, brandeis.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.