Brandeis vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Brandeis: 40.5% against 73.9% (Houston).
The larger international cohort belongs to Brandeis: 19.3% of students against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $56,730 (Brandeis) and $4,456 (Houston).
The tuition gap is $43,031 a year: $27,926 (Houston) against $70,957.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 73.92% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #201-300). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,957 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Brandeis for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 73.92% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1240).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $62K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Brandeis | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.47% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 17.5% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1460 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 10,462 | 31,716 |
| International students | 19.3% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $77K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $52K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 87% |
| Median debt | $25,648 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $70,957 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $57,507 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 94.5% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,004 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 5,205 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Brandeis or Houston?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Brandeis accepts 40.47% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Brandeis or Houston graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Brandeis vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,957 per year at Brandeis and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Brandeis or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1460 at Brandeis and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Brandeis or Houston?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Brandeis vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Brandeis or Houston?
The average aid package is $57,507 at Brandeis and $16,450 at Houston.
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