Brandeis University vs. Fordham

Deciding between Brandeis University and Fordham University? 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
Fordham University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Fordham Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Fordham 16,150
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Fordham #133
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Fordham Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Fordham Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Fordham
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Fordham $24,090
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Fordham $48,190
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Fordham $35,988
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Fordham 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Fordham 43,364
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Fordham 25,719
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Fordham 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Fordham 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Fordham 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Fordham A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Fordham Low
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Fordham 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Fordham 1320/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Fordham Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Fordham 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Fordham 78%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Fordham $64,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Fordham 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Fordham $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Fordham $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Fordham 39%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Fordham 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Fordham High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Fordham No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Fordham 59%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Fordham 10%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Fordham 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Fordham 14%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Fordham 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Fordham 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Fordham 3%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Fordham 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Fordham 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Fordham 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Fordham 51%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Fordham Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Brandeis University No
  • Fordham No
  • Meal Plan
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Fordham Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Brandeis University No
  • Fordham Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Brandeis University No
  • Fordham No

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Fordham University in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Brandeis University vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Fordham? 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 Brandeis University than Fordham ($43,550 vs. $48,190).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 17.2% lower than at Fordham University ($19,944 vs. $24,090).
  • Brandeis University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $3,165 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $64,915.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Brandeis University than at Fordham University (about $3,165 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $64,915.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Brandeis University (95% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 19% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($42,841 vs. $35,988).

Brandeis University vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or Fordham? 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 Fordham and Brandeis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brandeis University (1460) is 60 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
  • Incoming Brandeis University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Fordham).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Fordham University 1320/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Fordham University 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Brandeis University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Fordham (3.67).
  • Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Brandeis University (40.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Brandeis University vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
  • Graduates from Brandeis University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

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.