Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Brandeis University #805 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brandeis University in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #289 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #805 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R1) in Waltham, Massachusetts, Brandeis University enrolls roughly 3,618 undergraduates. Retention is 87.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 86.0%, placing the institution among the strongest nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where Brandeis University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #289 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brandeis University in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strong financial performance reflects the university's concentration in Social Sciences, a field family that consistently delivers competitive long-term outcomes and positions graduates for sustained career mobility. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Brandeis University admits about 40.5% of applicants — a selectivity level that, by design, limits the size of each entering class and the number of low-income students the institution enrolls (15.0% Pell, 16.3% first-generation). Brandeis University sits in the 46.7 percentile for access and the 8.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For admitted students, the university's financial aid commitment and need-based aid policies help bridge the gap between sticker price and actual cost, though the starting price point remains above the median for comparable private institutions.
Brandeis University's published cost of attendance is $86,448, but need-based aid substantially reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,363; middle-income families pay around $20,536; and higher-income families pay approximately $54,885. Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #1309 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Brandeis University's aid structure is need-based, with demonstrated financial need met in full under current financial aid policies. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and work-study is available as part of the aid package. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,648, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,451; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $76,742, median federal debt of $25,648 projects to a monthly payment of about $290 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Brandeis University is a strong fit for students drawn to the social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields who want a private research university experience in MA. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $76,742, placing Brandeis University in the 80.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 62.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 15.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.3% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Brandeis University in the 92.8 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Published cost of attendance is $54,885, and need-based aid packages can meaningfully close the gap for qualifying families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 40.5% admit rate makes the application process highly selective, and the program mix favors research-oriented and interdisciplinary fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Brandeis University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Brandeis University's published cost of attendance is $86,448, but need-based aid substantially reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,363; middle-income families pay around $20,536; and higher-income families pay approximately $54,885.
Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #1309 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Brandeis University's aid structure is need-based, with demonstrated financial need met in full under current financial aid policies. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and work-study is available as part of the aid package.
The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,648, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,451; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $76,742, median federal debt of $25,648 projects to a monthly payment of about $290 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Brandeis University earn median 4-year earnings of $76,742, placing Brandeis University in the 80.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brandeis University in the 62.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Brandeis University #289 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects Brandeis University's concentration in social sciences and analytical fields. Biology, General is the largest program with 154 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,384, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
The Business/Commerce, General program graduates 127 students with median 4-year earnings of $108,405, at 1.6x benchmark, while Economics reaches $95,872 with 125 graduates. Research Psychology and Public Policy Analysis round out the top programs, with 4-year earnings of $67,838 and $75,580 respectively.
This program mix — anchored in Social Sciences — supports consistent outcomes across cohorts and contributes to the institution's strong value-added performance relative to peer institutions.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Connecticut Higher acceptance rate (18.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 64 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 54% | $73,997 | Compare |
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Higher acceptance rate (36 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 28 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 71% | $67,725 | Compare |
Western New England University Higher acceptance rate (47.9 percentage points higher) and located 67 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 83% | $73,157 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (46.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
American University Higher acceptance rate (12.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 47% | $77,370 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Thomas University Similar quality tier (#21350 ranked) | FL | 98% | $54,272 | #21350 | Compare |
Carroll University Similar quality tier (#20829 ranked) | WI | 67% | $58,009 | #20829 | Compare |
Albion College Similar quality tier (#21364 ranked) | MI | 81% | $58,799 | #21364 | Compare |
Davenport University Similar quality tier (#20824 ranked) | MI | 98% | $45,099 | #20824 | Compare |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Similar quality tier in Northeast (#20821 ranked) | NJ | 95% | $57,273 | #20821 | Compare |
Computer Science
99 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
127 graduates
Economics
125 graduates
Mathematics
21 graduates
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
15 graduates
Brandeis University's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, reflecting the institution's identity as a research-focused liberal arts university. Biology, General is the largest program with 154 graduates, followed by Business/Commerce, General, Economics, Research Psychology, and Public Policy Analysis.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,352 students annually, the institution demonstrates particular strength in quantitative and analytical fields aligned with its research mission. The earnings pattern reflects Brandeis University's positioning within the social sciences and analytical disciplines.
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $123,460 four years after enrollment, followed by Business/Commerce, General at $108,405, Economics at $95,872, and Public Policy Analysis at $75,580. Several of these highest-earning programs combine moderate-to-substantial cohort sizes with strong four-year outcomes, signaling consistent labor-market demand for Brandeis University graduates in quantitative and professional fields.
Many of Brandeis University's strongest programs sit at the intersection of liberal arts breadth and professional preparation. Fields like Biology, General and Business/Commerce, General are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect national labor-market outcomes.
Other programs, particularly those in pure sciences and humanities, are often grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because a meaningful share of graduates continue to graduate or professional school. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Brandeis University's dominant program families align with national wage trends and employer demand.
