What SAT score do I need for Brandeis University?

Brandeis University's middle 50% SAT range is 1390 to 1520. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.

What ACT score do I need for Brandeis University?

Middle 50% ACT range is 31 to 34. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.

What is the acceptance rate at Brandeis University?

Brandeis University admits roughly 41% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.

What does Brandeis University actually cost after financial aid?

Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $35,736 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

Is Brandeis University a reach, match, or safety for me?

Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Brandeis University as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Northeast

Acceptance rate: 40.5%
SAT mid-50: 1390-1520
Cost after aid: $35,736
Graduation rate: 86%

What Brandeis University says matters

How Brandeis University rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

Acceptance rate: 40%; 4,234 of 10,462
Yield: 17%; 739 enrolled
SAT mid-50: 1415-1510
ACT mid-50: 31-34
CDS year: 2024-25

Very important

Rigor of secondary school record
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular activities
Talent or ability
Character or personal qualities
First generation
Alumni relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation or commitment
Volunteer work
Work experience

Considered

Level of applicant's interest

The full Common Data Set

Every figure Brandeis University published for 2024-25, section by section.

First-Time, First-Year Admission114

Applications

Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 325
Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 414
Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 0
Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled: 0
Total part-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled: 0
Total first-time, first-year students who applied: 10,462
Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted: 4,234
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 2,007
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 882
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 4,631
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 2,585
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 3,824
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 767
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 0
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 0

Wait List

Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:: 1,754
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:: 616
Number of wait-listed students admitted:: 336

Admissions Requirements

Total academic units: 20.00
English: 4.00
Mathematics: 4.00
Science: 4.00
Of these, units that must be lab: 2.00
Foreign language: 4.00
Social studies: 4.00

Basis for Selection

Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rank: Very Important
Academic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scores: Very Important
Application Essay: Very Important
Recommendation(s): Very Important
Extracurricular activities: Very Important
Talent/ability: Very Important
Character/personal qualities: Very Important
First generation: Very Important
Alumni/ae relation: Very Important
Geographical residence: Very Important
State residency: Very Important
Religious affiliation/commitment: Very Important
Volunteer work: Very Important
Work experience: Very Important
Level of applicant’s interest: Considered

First-time, first-year Profile

Submitting SAT Scores: 0.3
Submitting ACT Scores: 0.1
Submitting SAT Scores: 217
Submitting ACT Scores: 77
SAT Composite: 25th Percentile: 1,415
SAT Composite: 50th Percentile: 1,460
SAT Composite: 75th Percentile: 1,510
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile: 690
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile: 730
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile: 750
SAT Math: 25th Percentile: 700
SAT Math: 50th Percentile: 740
SAT Math: 75th Percentile: 770
ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 31%
ACT Composite: 50th Percentile: 32%
ACT Composite: 75th Percentile: 34%
ACT Math: 25th Percentile: 27%
ACT Math: 50th Percentile: 30%
ACT Math: 75th Percentile: 34%
ACT English: 25th Percentile: 31%
ACT English: 50th Percentile: 34%
ACT English: 75th Percentile: 35%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800: 77
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699: 20
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599: 3
SAT Math: 700-800: 77
SAT Math: 600-699: 19
SAT Math: 500-599: 4
SAT Composite: 1400-1600: 83
SAT Composite: 1200-1399: 16
SAT Composite: 1000-1199: 0.4
SAT Composite: 800-999: 0.4
SAT Composite: 600-799: 0.4
SAT Composite: 400-599: 0.4
ACT Composite: 30-36: 81
ACT Composite: 24-29: 19
ACT Composite: Below 6: 100
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class: 49%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class: 79%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class: 97%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class: 3.0%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class: 2.0%
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:: 22%
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 37%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 31%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 19%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 8.0%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 2.0%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 3.2%
Total: 100
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 32%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 32%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 26%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 7.0%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 2.7%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 1.3%
Total: 99.9
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 34%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 31%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 23%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 7.4%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 2.4%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 2.1%
Total: 100

Admission Policies

Amount of application fee:: 80
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?: Yes
Free: Yes
Does your institution have an application closing date?: Yes
If yes, maximum period of postponement:: C22. Early action: Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan:

Transfer Admission23

Fall Applicants

If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?: Yes
Men: 269
Women: 312
Unknown: 581
Total: 114
Men: 173
Another Gender: 287
Unknown: 34
Total: 47
Women: 81

Application for Admission

Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?: No
High school transcript: Required of All
College transcript(s): Required of All
Essay or personal statement: Required of All
Interview: Required of All
Standardized test scores: Required of Some
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s): Required of All
Fall: 3
Winter: 15
Fall: 11
Winter: 1

Transfer Credit Policies

Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:: 64
American Council on Education (ACE): No

Academic Offerings and Policies20

Special Study Options

Accelerated program: X
Cross-registration: X
Distance learning: X
Double major: X
Honors Program: X
Independent study: X
Internships: X
Student-designed major: X
Study abroad: X
Teacher certification program: X
Undergraduate Research: X

Required Course Work

Arts/fine arts: X
Computer literacy: X
English (including composition): X
Foreign languages: X
Physical Education: X
Humanities: X
Intensive writing: X
Sciences (biological or physical): X
Social science: X

Student Life31

Percent Participating

Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 67%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 0
Percent of women who join sororities: 0
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 99%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 80%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 0
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 67%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 0
Percent of women who join sororities: 0
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 72%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 28%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 41%

Average Age

Average age of full-time students: 18
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 18
Average age of full-time students: 20
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 20

Activities Offered

Campus Ministries: X
Choral groups: X
Concert band: X
Dance: X
Drama/theater: X
Literary magazine: X
Model UN: X
Music ensembles: X
Musical theater: X
Pep band: X
Radio station: X
Student government: X
Student newspaper: X
Student-run film society: X
Yearbook: X

Annual Expenses19

Information

Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:: https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/brandeis

Private Tuition

Tuition: 69934.00
Tuition: 69934.00

All Institutions Expenses

Required Fees:: 1023.00
Food and housing (on-campus):: 19384.00
Housing Only (on-campus):: 11060.00
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8324.00
Required Fees:: 598.00
Food and housing (on-campus):: 20954.00
Housing Only (on-campus):: 12630.00
Food Only (on-campus meal plan):: 8324.00

Estimated Expenses

Books and supplies:: 1000.00
Transportation:: 900.00
Other expenses:: 1200.00
Books and supplies:: 1000.00
Other expenses:: 1200.00
Books and supplies:: 1000.00
Food and housing total*: 14311.00
Other expenses:: 1200.00

Financial Aid72

Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid

N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 799
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 15,071
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0
N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits): 0
O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n: 0
P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant: 0
Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p: 0

Methodology

Both FM and IM: 4156746.00

Need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 755635.00
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 73078185.00
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 2013182.00
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 80003748.00
Total Scholarships/Grants: 5270372.00
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 2847828.00
Federal Work-Study: 581770.00
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 8699970.00
Total Self-Help: 1525092.00
Parent Loans: 602758.00
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0.00
Athletic Awards: 328.00

Non-need-based Aid Awarded

Federal: 1206.00
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located: 13213046.00
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).: 2804684.00
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 16019264.00
Total Scholarships/Grants: 5028539.00
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans): 775691.00
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 5804230.00
Total Self-Help: 4206346.00
Parent Loans: 979704.00
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.: 0.00

Students Awarded Aid

A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 3,656
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 1,858
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 1,537
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 1,529
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 1,475
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 1,321
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 131
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 992
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 95%
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 57507
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 54204
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 6038
A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort): 7
B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid: 4
C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need: 4
D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid: 4
E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid: 4
F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid: 0
G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: 0
H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 0
I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 0
J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): 12907
K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e: 12907
L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f: 0

Source Type Loan

A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 268
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 258
C. Institutional loan programs.: 6
D. State loan programs.: 8
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 40
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 38.00
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 36.00
C. Institutional loan programs.: 1.00
D. State loan programs.: 1.00
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 6.00
A. Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 27004
B. Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans.: 17583
C. Institutional loan programs.: 12738
D. State loan programs.: 36936
E. Private student loans made by a bank or lender.: 58221

Aid to Nonresidents

Total dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents:: 7,204,695

Institutional Aid

If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:: Brandeis meets 100% of financial need for its students with scholarship, need-based loan and work awards. We also announced the Brandeis Commitment which guarantees scholarship equal to at least full tuition for families with typical assets and total income of $75k ore below or at least half tuition for families with typical assets and total income of $200k or below. Common Data Set 2024-2025

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred19

Diploma/Certificates

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Associate

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Bachelors

Natural resources and conservation: 2.73
Area, ethnic, and gender studies: 5.1
Computer and information sciences: 5.63
Education: 1.23
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics: 1.06
English: 3.08
Biological/life sciences: 16.53
Mathematics and statistics: 3.78
Philosophy and religious studies: 1.93
Physical sciences: 3.69
Psychology: 8.27
Public administration and social services: 8.01
Social sciences: 16.97
Visual and performing arts: 4.06
Business/marketing: 9.67
History: 3.25
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Enrollment And Persistence98

Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Nonresidents: 119
Hispanic/Latino: 97
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 45
White, non-Hispanic: 262
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1
Asian, non-Hispanic: 133
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 32
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 46
TOTAL: 735
Nonresidents: 697
Hispanic/Latino: 326
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 211
White, non-Hispanic: 1,499
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1
Asian, non-Hispanic: 642
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 155
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 87
TOTAL: 3,618
Nonresidents: 700
Hispanic/Latino: 326
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 212
White, non-Hispanic: 1,503
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1
Asian, non-Hispanic: 644
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 155
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 91
TOTAL: 3,632

Persistence

Master's degrees: 612
Post-Master's certificates: 5
Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship: 75

Graduation Rates

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 162
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 157
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 576
Total: 895
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 0
Total: 0
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 157
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 576
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 895
Total: 895
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 109
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 129
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 452
Total: 690
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 16
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 10
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 40
Total: 66
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 8
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 6
Total: 14
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 133
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 139
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 498
Total: 770
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 82.002
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 89
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 86
Total: 86
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 136
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 183
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 539
Total: 858
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1
Total: 1
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 183
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 538
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 857
Total: 857
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 91
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 149
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 431
Total: 671
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 17
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 11
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 26
Total: 2,022
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 2
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 3
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 8
Total: 13
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 110
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 163
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 465
Total: 738
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 81.002
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 89
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 86
Total: 86
2021 Cohort: 150

Instructional Faculty And Class Size29

Instructional Faculty

A. Total number of instructional faculty: 382
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 84
C. Total number who are women: 184
D. Total number who are men: 198
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 33
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 359
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 19
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 4
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 130
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 28
C. Total number who are women: 62
D. Total number who are men: 68
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 1
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 69%
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 53
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 8
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 31
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 512
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 112
C. Total number who are women: 246
D. Total number who are men: 266
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 34
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 428
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 72
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 12
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 0
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 31

Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio: 9
based on ____ students: 3,623

Source: Brandeis University's Common Data Set 2024-25

About Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a small private university in Waltham, MA, in a city setting.

What Brandeis University looks for

Brandeis University admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.

Frequently asked

What SAT score do I need for Brandeis University?
Brandeis University's middle 50% SAT range is 1390 to 1520. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Brandeis University?
Middle 50% ACT range is 31 to 34. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Brandeis University?
Brandeis University admits roughly 41% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.
What does Brandeis University actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $35,736 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Brandeis University a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Brandeis University as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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