Brandeis University vs. Cornell

Should I go to Brandeis University or Cornell University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brandeis University or Cornell is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Princeton Georgetown Penn NYU Johns Hopkins Duke Colgate UChicago Northwestern Yale BU Dartmouth
Brandeis University vs. Cornell University comparison
Brandeis University Cornell University College 3 College 4
Brandeis University Cornell University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Brandeis University Cornell
Location Waltham, MA Ithaca, NY
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 5,302 26,264
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #102 #19
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brandeis.edu cornell.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brandeis University Cornell
Tuition (In State) $64,348 $65,204
Tuition (Out of State) $64,348 $65,204
Room & Board $19,096 $18,554
Avg Net Price $44,668 $26,455
Avg Grant Aid $37,489 $56,741
% Receiving Grant Aid 68% 51%

Admission

Brandeis University Cornell
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,282 65,635
Admitted 3,984 5,358
Acceptance Rate 35.3% 8.2%
Enrolled % 21.7% 66%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.9
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Elite
Applicant Competition High Extreme
ACT Range 31/34 33/35
SAT Range 1390/1530 1480/1560
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 2, 2026

Academics

Brandeis University Cornell
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)

Outcomes

Brandeis University Cornell
Graduation Rate 91% 93%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,700 $98,400
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 87%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $12,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $124

Diversity

Brandeis University Cornell
% Men 14% 19%
% Women 17% 20%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 41%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 20% 10%
% Unknown Race 5% 8%

Students

Brandeis University Cornell
% In-State 24% 32%
% Out-of-State 57% 55%

Campus

Brandeis University Cornell
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Cornell University is larger than than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (26,264 students vs. 5,302 students)

Brandeis University vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Cornell?

  • Cornell University is 1.3% more expensive to attend than Brandeis University for in-state tuition ($65,204.00 vs. $64,348.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at Cornell than Brandeis University ($65,204.00 vs. $64,348.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell University than Brandeis University ($26,455 vs. $44,668)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 2.9% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($18,554 vs. $19,096)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Cornell University (68% vs. 51%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 51.4% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($56,741 vs. $37,489)

Brandeis University vs. Cornell Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or Cornell? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cornell or Brandeis University .

  • The average SAT score at Cornell University (1428) is 68 points higher than at Brandeis University (1360)
  • Incoming Cornell students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at Brandeis University (31)
  • Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Brandeis University (3.84)
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (35.3%) than Cornell (8.2%)

Brandeis University vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brandeis University or Cornell? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cornell and Brandeis University.

  • The graduation rate at Cornell is higher than Brandeis University (93% vs. 91%)
  • Graduates from Cornell University earn on average $31,700 more per year than Brandeis University graduates after ten years. ($98,400 vs. $66,700)
  • Cornell University students graduate with a $15,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($12,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Cornell graduates are paying $155 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($124 vs. $279)
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/