Brandeis University vs. City College of New York

Deciding between Brandeis University and CUNY City College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Brandeis University
CUNY City College

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • City College of New York New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • City College of New York Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • City College of New York 15,544
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • City College of New York Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • City College of New York #313
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • City College of New York -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • City College of New York Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • City College of New York

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • City College of New York $7,340
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • City College of New York $15,290
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • City College of New York $18,840
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • City College of New York $4,664
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • City College of New York $9,763
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • City College of New York 88%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • City College of New York 34,322
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • City College of New York 20,600
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • City College of New York 60%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • City College of New York 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • City College of New York 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • City College of New York
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • City College of New York 3.2
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • City College of New York B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • City College of New York Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • City College of New York Low
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • City College of New York
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • City College of New York 1070/1430
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • City College of New York Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • City College of New York Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • City College of New York 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • City College of New York
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • City College of New York 40%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • City College of New York $49,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • City College of New York 52%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • City College of New York $11,400
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • City College of New York $117

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • City College of New York 47%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • City College of New York 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • City College of New York Very High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • City College of New York No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • City College of New York 15%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • City College of New York 25%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • City College of New York 16%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • City College of New York 35%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • City College of New York 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • City College of New York 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • City College of New York 2%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • City College of New York 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • City College of New York 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • City College of New York 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • City College of New York 0%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • City College of New York Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Brandeis University No
  • City College of New York No
  • Meal Plan
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • City College of New York No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Brandeis University No
  • City College of New York No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Brandeis University No
  • City College of New York Yes
  • Learn More
  • Brandeis University Details
  • City College of New York Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Brandeis University vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or City College of New York? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at CUNY City College than Brandeis University ($4,664 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY City College are 5.5% lower than at Brandeis University ($18,840 vs. $19,944).
  • Brandeis University is 827.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $60,740 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $7,340.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 345.3% higher at Brandeis University than at CUNY City College (about $52,790 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $15,290.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Brandeis University (88% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 338.8% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($42,841 vs. $9,763).

Brandeis University vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or City College of New York? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between City College of New York and Brandeis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brandeis University (1460) is 210 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; City College of New York - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Brandeis University students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
  • City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Brandeis University (40.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Brandeis University vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and City College of New York? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Brandeis University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
  • Graduates from Brandeis University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $15,600 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($11,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($117 vs. $279).
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.