BC vs. Brandeis University

Boston College and Brandeis University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston College
Brandeis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BC (16.4% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: BC. Average net price is $32,519 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: BC 91% vs Brandeis University 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BC $90,900 vs Brandeis University $66,700 (median).
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Key differences

Boston College Brandeis University
Acceptance rate
BC more selective
BC16.4%
Brandeis University40.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BC higher
BC1440-1540
Brandeis University1390-1520
Average net price
BC $11,031 less
BC$32,519
Brandeis University$43,550
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $2,622 less
BC$70,702
Brandeis University$68,080
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $2,622 less
BC$70,702
Brandeis University$68,080
Graduation rate
BC +0 pts
BC91%
Brandeis University91%
Median earnings (10 years)
BC +$24,200
BC$90,900
Brandeis University$66,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BC 43.5%
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Typical high school grades
  • BC A
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BC Elite
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BC Very High
  • Brandeis University Low
  • SAT range
  • BC 1440-1540
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • ACT range
  • BC 33-35
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BC Test optional
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • Brandeis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BC $70,702
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BC $70,702
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Room & board
  • BC $18,916
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Average net price
  • BC $32,519
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Average grant aid
  • BC $56,971
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BC 40%
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Graduation rate
  • BC 91%
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • BC 90%
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BC $19,000
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BC $196
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BC #34
  • Brandeis University #91

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Brandeis University in Waltham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston College is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 5,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Brandeis University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Brandeis University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 5.2% lower than at Brandeis University ($18,916 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at BC than at Brandeis University (about $2,622 more per year; $70,702 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Boston College (62% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 33% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($56,971 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at BC than at Brandeis University (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BC and Brandeis University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BC average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 17.3% at Brandeis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($196 vs. $279).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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