Brandeis University vs. Olin College

Deciding between Brandeis University and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering? 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
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Olin College Needham, MA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Olin College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Olin College 405
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Olin College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Olin College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Olin College -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Olin College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Olin College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Olin College $20,810
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Olin College $43,184
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Olin College $43,290
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Olin College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Olin College 1,000
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Olin College 252
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Olin College 25.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Olin College 43.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Olin College 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Olin College
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Olin College 3.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Olin College A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Olin College Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Olin College High
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Olin College
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Olin College 1493/1558
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Olin College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Olin College Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Olin College 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Olin College
    • Engineering (100%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Olin College 96%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Olin College N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Olin College -
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Olin College $14,710
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Olin College $152
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Olin College 52%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Olin College 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Olin College High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Olin College No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Olin College 53%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Olin College 16%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Olin College 0%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Olin College 4%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Olin College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Olin College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Olin College 7%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Olin College 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Olin College 11%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Olin College 22%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Olin College 71%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brandeis University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Brandeis University vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Olin College? 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than Brandeis University ($43,184 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 4.2% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($19,944 vs. $20,810).
  • Brandeis University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $1,682 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $66,398.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Brandeis University than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $1,682 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $66,398.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Brandeis University (100% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 1% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($43,290 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 70 points higher than at Brandeis University (1460).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
  • 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; Olin College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Olin College 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 (40.5%) than Olin College (25.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Brandeis University vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and Olin College? 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).

  • Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Brandeis University's (91%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $12,290 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($14,710 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($152 vs. $279).

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.