Brandeis University vs. Harvard

Should I go to Brandeis University or Harvard University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brandeis University or Harvard 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.

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Brandeis University vs. Harvard University comparison
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Overview

Brandeis University Harvard
Location Waltham, MA Cambridge, MA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 5,581 30,631
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #90 #4
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brandeis.edu harvard.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brandeis University Harvard
Tuition (In State) $61,724 $52,659
Tuition (Out of State) $61,724 $52,659
Room & Board $17,092 $19,502
Avg Net Price $45,565 $19,491
Avg Grant Aid $33,733 $61,801
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 56%

Admission

Brandeis University Harvard
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,917 61,221
Admitted 3,908 1,984
Acceptance Rate 39.4% 3.2%
Enrolled % 25.2% 83%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 4.0
Typical High School Grades A- A/A+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Elite
Applicant Competition High Extreme
ACT Range 31/34 34/36
SAT Range 1370/1530 1490/1580
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 1, 2025

Academics

Brandeis University Harvard
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (32%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • History (9%)
  • Mathematics (6%)

Outcomes

Brandeis University Harvard
Graduation Rate 91% 97%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,700 $136,700
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $6,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $67

Diversity

Brandeis University Harvard
% Men 43% 46%
% Women 57% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 44%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 20% 11%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

Brandeis University Harvard
% In-State 22% 15%
% Out-of-State 57% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Harvard University is larger than than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (30,631 students vs. 5,581 students)

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Harvard?

  • Brandeis University is 17.2% more expensive to attend than Harvard for in-state tuition ($61,724.00 vs. $52,659.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.2% higher at Brandeis University than Harvard University ($61,724.00 vs. $52,659.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harvard University than Brandeis University ($19,491 vs. $45,565)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 14.1% lower than costs at Harvard University ($17,092 vs. $19,502)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Harvard University (64% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 83.2% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($61,801 vs. $33,733)

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Harvard University (1497) is 137 points higher than at Brandeis University (1360)
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (34) than students at Brandeis University (31)
  • Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Brandeis University (3.84)
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (39.4%) than Harvard (3.2%)

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brandeis University or Harvard? 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 Harvard and Brandeis University.

  • The graduation rate at Harvard is higher than Brandeis University (97% vs. 91%)
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn on average $70,000 more per year than Brandeis University graduates after ten years. ($136,700 vs. $66,700)
  • Harvard University students graduate with a $20,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($6,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Harvard graduates are paying $212 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($67 vs. $279)
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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