Brandeis University
A small research university near Boston, founded in 1948 on pluralism, with liberal arts classes at an 8:1 ratio.
- Acceptance rate
- 45%
- First-year applicants for fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 4,742
- 3,358 undergraduates
- International
- 16%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 8:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $73,080
- 2026-27
About Brandeis
Brandeis University opened in 1948 in Waltham, nine miles west of Boston, founded by the American Jewish community as a non-sectarian university open to students of every background at a time when many colleges imposed quotas. It is named after Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis. Today it is a member of the Association of American Universities with 3,358 undergraduates and about 1,380 graduate students on a 235-acre campus.
Brandeis calls itself a private research university with a liberal arts focus. Undergraduates take small classes (the student-faculty ratio is 8:1) across 48 majors, now organised into four schools: Arts, Humanities and Culture; Business and Economics; Science, Engineering and Technology; and Social Sciences and Social Policy. It is especially strong in the life sciences: alumni include Nobel laureates Drew Weissman (Medicine, 2023) and Roderick MacKinnon (Chemistry, 2003).
Admission is selective (about 45% admitted, and 18% of international applicants), test-optional since 2013, and offers two binding Early Decision rounds plus Early Action. The Brandeis Commitment gives US families earning up to $200,000 free or half tuition. It suits intellectually curious students who want research access and a tight-knit, politically engaged campus with Boston a train ride away.
Emet (אמת)
“Truth, even unto its innermost parts” — university motto
Why students choose Brandeis
The Brandeis Commitment covers full tuition for US families earning $75,000 or less and half tuition up to $200,000, and Brandeis meets 100% of calculated need.
An 8:1 student-faculty ratio at an AAU research university, with undergraduates working in labs whose alumni include two Nobel laureates.
International applicants are considered for the Wien International Scholarship, which meets each recipient's full demonstrated need, with no separate application.
The Brandeis/Roberts commuter rail station on campus puts Boston's internships and culture within easy reach.
Admissions
First-year applicants for fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
4,430 admitted from 9,756 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
744 first-years enrolled. International applicants were admitted at about 18% (642 of 3,576). The CDS reports 680 Early Decision applications and 242 ED admits. 1,717 applicants were offered a waitlist place, 771 accepted and 206 were admitted from it.
Typical entry requirements
| US high school curriculum (minimum) | 4 years English, 3 mathematics, 3 lab sciences, 3 social sciences and 2-3 foreign language; most applicants take honors, AP or IB courses where available |
|---|---|
| International secondary school record | Official transcripts and any national exam marks, with English translations; UWC graduates are exempt from English testing |
| English language | Non-native English speakers submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo English Test or Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency results; Brandeis does not list minimum scores on its admissions pages. A waiver can be requested after four or more years at an English-medium high school. |
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 27 daysNovember 2, 2026
Decisions December 15. CSS Profile and FAFSA due November 2. ED admits get perks including a third year of guaranteed housing.
- Early Action Non-binding In 27 daysNovember 2, 2026
Non-restrictive; decisions February 1.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
Decisions February 15; financial aid forms due January 15.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
Decisions April 1; senior midyear grades required.
Dates are from Brandeis's deadline table for the current cycle, which also lists spring 2027 admission (November 2). Financial aid applications (CSS Profile and FAFSA) are due on the same day as the admission deadline for each round.
How to apply
Common App or Coalition Application; $80 fee (or waiver); official high school transcripts; school report and counselor recommendation; one teacher recommendation from a core academic subject; senior midyear grades; optional SAT or ACT. Early Decision applicants sign the ED Agreement. International students applying for aid submit the CSS Profile and financial documents; those not applying submit the Certification of Finances.
What admissions looks for
- Academic qualifications, above all evidence that you have challenged yourself with the most demanding courses available.
- Potential for social and academic success at Brandeis.
- A demonstrated understanding of Brandeis's mission to prepare active citizens who care about improving the world.
- Critical thinking, community engagement and perseverance, which the admissions office names as qualities it looks for.
Tips for applying to Brandeis
- 1 If Brandeis is your first choice, Early Decision I or II is binding but comes with the same aid package as Regular Decision and an extra year of guaranteed housing.
- 2 Use your essays and activities to show community engagement and perseverance: the admissions office lists them alongside critical thinking as what it looks for.
- 3 Send test scores only if they are in or above the enrolled range (SAT 1370-1470, ACT 31-34); most enrolled students applied without them.
- 4 International students who need aid should submit the CSS Profile and financial documents with the application to be considered for the need-based Wien International Scholarship.
- 5 US families should check the Brandeis Commitment income bands (free tuition at $75,000 or less, half tuition up to $200,000) and try the Faye net price tool.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Brandeis University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Brandeis meets 100% of calculated financial need. The Brandeis Commitment covers full tuition for US families with income of $75,000 or below and half tuition for $75,001-$200,000 (assuming typical assets). All applicants are considered for merit scholarships, including the Justice Brandeis Scholarship. International students can receive the Wien International Scholarship, which meets full demonstrated need; in the latest CDS, 146 international undergraduates received institutional aid averaging $57,906. In 2025-26, 82% of full-time first-year undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid.
- About $97,758 before travel and health insurance ($4,700 if not waived)
- 2026-27 listed on-campus budget (tuition, activity fee, housing, food, books, personal)
- Full tuition at income $75,000 or below; half tuition at $75,001-$200,000
- Brandeis Commitment (US families)
- 146 students, averaging $57,906
- International undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)
- 82%
- First-year undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid (2025-26)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two 15-week semesters
Biochemistry and life sciences
Nobel laureates Drew Weissman (BA/MA 1981) and Roderick MacKinnon (BA 1978) both studied biochemistry at Brandeis.
Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Founded in 1953, one of the first academic Jewish studies programs at an American university.
Neuroscience
Supported by the Volen National Center for Complex Systems and the Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology.
Theater Arts
Alumni include Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman (BA 1978) and actress Debra Messing (BA 1990).
Politics and journalism
Graduates include three-time Pulitzer winner Thomas Friedman (Mediterranean studies, 1975).
Research
- Member of the Association of American Universities and classified R1 (very high research activity).
- Research centres include the Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, the Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology and the Volen National Center for Complex Systems.
- The Rose Art Museum, established in 1961, holds 20th- and 21st-century art.
Schools & faculties
- School of Arts, Humanities and Culture
- School of Business and Economics
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology
- School of Social Sciences and Social Policy
- Rabb School of Continuing Studies
College Scorecard: median earnings of $77,231 ten years after entry (and $52,967 six years after entry) for federally aided students.
Student life
Brandeis is residential and close-knit: 98.7% of first-years live on campus, and all first-years are generally required to. The CDS reports no students in fraternities or sororities; social life runs through more than 200 clubs, the arts, community service and a strong Jewish life alongside many other faith and cultural groups. The campus mixes the three interfaith chapels around a pond, a nine-foot bronze statue of Louis Brandeis and modern science buildings. Brandeis fields 19 NCAA Division III teams in the University Athletic Association.
- Three interfaith chapels (Catholic, Protestant and Jewish) built around a pond in 1955.
- More than 200 student clubs and 19 varsity teams in NCAA Division III's University Athletic Association.
- A campus shuttle loops around campus and runs to Moody Street and Central Square in Waltham.
- The campus was the National Student Strike Information Center during the 1970 student strike.
Housing. First-years are generally required to live on campus in double rooms; housing is guaranteed for two years (three for Early Decision admits), and 70% of all undergraduates live on campus.
Location
Waltham is a small city on the Charles River nine miles west of Boston, and the Brandeis shuttle runs into town to Moody Street and Central Square. The Brandeis/Roberts stop on the Fitchburg commuter rail line runs along the edge of campus, so Boston's museums, internships and other universities are a short train ride away. Expect New England winters and Boston-area living costs.
Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Notable alumni
- DW Drew Weissman2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for mRNA vaccine research; BA and MA in biochemistry (1981)
- RM Roderick MacKinnon2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; BA in biochemistry (1978)
- TF Thomas FriedmanNew York Times columnist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner; BA in Mediterranean studies (1975)
- LL Leslie LamportTuring Award-winning computer scientist; MA (1963) and PhD (1972) in mathematics
- MK Marta KauffmanCo-creator of Friends; BA in theater (1978)
- DM Debra MessingActress (Will & Grace); BA in theater arts, summa cum laude (1990)
- AD Angela DavisActivist, philosopher and author; studied at Brandeis on scholarship
- AH Abbie HoffmanActivist and co-founder of the Yippies; BA in psychology (1959)
Frequently asked questions
What is Brandeis University's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Brandeis admitted 4,430 of 9,756 first-year applicants, about 45%. International applicants were admitted at about 18%.
Is Brandeis test-optional?
Yes, and it has been since 2013. You choose on the Common App whether your SAT or ACT scores are considered, and self-reported scores are accepted.
Does Brandeis have Early Decision?
Yes, two binding rounds: ED I (November 2, 2026, decisions December 15) and ED II (January 15, 2027, decisions February 15). There is also a non-binding Early Action round on November 2.
Does Brandeis give financial aid to international students?
Yes. The Wien International Scholarship meets the full demonstrated need of each recipient, and 146 international undergraduates received institutional aid averaging $57,906 in the latest CDS. Apply for aid with the CSS Profile when you apply.
How much does Brandeis cost?
Tuition for 2026-27 is $73,080, with on-campus housing and food of about $21,880. Brandeis meets 100% of calculated need, and US families earning up to $200,000 get free or half tuition through the Brandeis Commitment.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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