Brandeis University vs. Penn

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

Brandeis University
University of Pennsylvania

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn (5.4% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn. Average net price is $23,570 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs Penn 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs Penn $123,600 (median).
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Key differences

Brandeis University University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate
Penn more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
Penn5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
Penn1510-1570
Average net price
Penn $19,980 less
Brandeis University$43,550
Penn$23,570
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $606 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Penn$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $606 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Penn$68,686
Graduation rate
Penn +5 pts
Brandeis University91%
Penn96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn +$56,900
Brandeis University$66,700
Penn$123,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Penn 65,226
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Penn 3,523
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Penn 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Penn 68%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Penn 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Penn 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Penn 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Penn A
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Penn Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Penn Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • Penn 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Penn 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Penn Required
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Penn Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Penn $68,686
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Penn $68,686
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Penn $19,174
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Penn $23,570
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Penn $65,458
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Penn 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Penn 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Penn $123,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Penn 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Penn $20,633
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Penn $213
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Penn 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Penn
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Penn Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Penn Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Penn 29,109
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Penn Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Penn #23

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 5,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 3.9% lower than at Brandeis University ($19,174 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Penn than at Brandeis University (about $606 more per year; $68,686 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at University of Pennsylvania (62% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 52.8% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($65,458 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Penn than at Brandeis University (35 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Brandeis University, required at Penn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Penn average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 68% at Penn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($213 vs. $279).
  • More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation (84% 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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