Brandeis University vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Brandeis University vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or UMass? 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Brandeis University ($22,948 vs. $43,550).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 16.2% lower than at Brandeis University ($16,710 vs. $19,944).
• Brandeis University is 283.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $50,308 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Brandeis University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $27,631 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Brandeis University (81% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 226.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($42,841 vs. $13,110).

Brandeis University vs. UMass Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brandeis University (1460) is 50 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Brandeis University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Brandeis University (3.84).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Brandeis University (40.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Brandeis University vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and UMass? 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Brandeis University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.