Brandeis University
Brandeis University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Brandeis University at a Glance
Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States. It is located within the Greater Boston area. Founded in 1948 as a non-sectarian, coeducational university, Brandeis was established on the site of the former Middlesex University. It is named after Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
1948
78 years old
$1.4B
$1.36 billion (2025)
4,696
3,342 undergrad · 1,354 grad
512
235 acres
Identity
Is Brandeis University Worth It?
Brandeis University offers moderate value at $35,736/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $77,231, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 86% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
How Brandeis University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
| #2 | Union College | 53 | $34,561 | $88,604 |
| #3 | Brandeis University | 47 | $35,736 | $77,231 |
| #4 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #5 | Connecticut College | 43 | $36,175 | $75,001 |
| #6 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Brandeis University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MA.
Best Programs at Brandeis University
The highest-earning program at Brandeis University is Computer Science at $70,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Neurobiology and Neurosciences at $33,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Brandeis University earns $70,400, while a Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduate earns $33,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $26,582 for Neurobiology and Neurosciences.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $35,736/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $70,400 | $70,400 | $25,000 |
| Economics | $59,100 | $59,100 | $24,899 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $47,900 | $47,900 | $26,945 |
| International/Global Studies | $41,600 | $41,600 | $24,762 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| History | $37,700 | $37,700 | $27,000 |
| Area Studies | $37,300 | $37,300 | $23,250 |
| Sociology | $37,000 | $37,000 | $25,424 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $35,900 | $35,900 | $26,923 |
| Psychology, General | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,971 |
| Biology, General | $34,900 | $34,900 | $26,974 |
| Anthropology | $33,600 | $33,600 | $25,324 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,990 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $33,300 | $33,300 | $26,582 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Waltham, MA
- Student Body
- 3,618 students
- Admission Rate
- 41%
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $35,736
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $77,231
- Median Student Debt
- $25,648