Brandeis University vs. Harvard

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

Brandeis University
Harvard University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs Harvard 97%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs Harvard $136,700 (median).
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Key differences

Brandeis University Harvard University
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
Harvard3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
Harvard1510-1580
Average net price
Harvard $26,025 less
Brandeis University$43,550
Harvard$17,525
In-state tuition
Harvard $6,404 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Harvard$61,676
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $6,404 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Harvard$61,676
Graduation rate
Harvard +6 pts
Brandeis University91%
Harvard97%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$70,000
Brandeis University$66,700
Harvard$136,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Harvard 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Harvard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Harvard Required
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Harvard 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Harvard 97%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Harvard 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Harvard $67
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Harvard #4

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Harvard University is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 5,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 5.9% lower than at Harvard University ($19,944 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Brandeis University than at Harvard University (about $6,404 more per year; $68,080 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Harvard University (62% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 58.8% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($68,015 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Harvard than at Brandeis University (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Brandeis University, required at Harvard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($67 vs. $279).
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 70%).

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

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