Brandeis vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Stanford admits 3.8%, Brandeis admits 40.5%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 19.3% (Brandeis) against 13.1% (Stanford).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Stanford awards international students $85,424 on average, Brandeis awards $56,730.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $93,441 (Brandeis), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $35,934.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 40.47% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $77K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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: lower graduate debt.
Choose Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 40.47% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1460).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $77K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 86%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $70,957); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Brandeis | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | - | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 40.47% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 17.5% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1460 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 10,462 | 60,646 |
| International students | 19.3% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $77K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $52K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $25,648 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,957 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $57,507 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 94.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,004 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $80 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 5,205 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Brandeis or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Brandeis accepts 40.47% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Brandeis or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Brandeis vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,957 per year at Brandeis and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Brandeis or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1460 at Brandeis and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Brandeis or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Brandeis vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Brandeis or Stanford?
The average aid package is $57,507 at Brandeis and $77,279 at Stanford.
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