Brandeis University vs. Harvard

Deciding between Brandeis University and Harvard 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
Harvard University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Harvard #4
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Harvard -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Harvard

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Harvard 56%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Harvard 35
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Harvard Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Harvard 34/36
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Harvard Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

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

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Harvard 46%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Harvard 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Harvard Very High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Harvard No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Harvard 44%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Harvard 19%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Harvard 10%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Harvard 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Harvard 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Harvard 14%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Harvard 68%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Harvard? 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 Harvard University than Brandeis University ($17,525 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 5.9% lower than at Harvard University ($19,944 vs. $21,190).
  • Brandeis University is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harvard (about $6,404 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Brandeis University than at Harvard University (about $6,404 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $61,676.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Harvard University (62% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 58.8% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($68,015 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 90 points higher than at Brandeis University (1460).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Brandeis University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Harvard University 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Harvard University 34/36.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; Harvard - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • 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 (40.5%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Brandeis University vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and Harvard? 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).

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Brandeis University's (91%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $70,000 more per year than Brandeis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $66,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.