Brandeis vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Virginia: 16.8% against 40.5% (Brandeis).
The larger international cohort belongs to Brandeis: 19.3% of students against 4.9% (Virginia).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Brandeis awards them $56,730 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Brandeis lists $93,441 against $80,859 (Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $35,934 against $43,736.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 40.47% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $77K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 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: a larger aid package.
Choose Virginia 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
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 40.47% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1460).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $77K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 86%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Brandeis | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.47% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 17.5% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1460 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | - |
| Number of applications | 10,462 | 58,951 |
| International students | 19.3% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $77K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $52K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $25,648 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,957 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $57,507 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 94.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,004 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 5,205 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Brandeis or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Brandeis accepts 40.47% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Brandeis or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Brandeis vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,957 per year at Brandeis and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Brandeis or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1460 at Brandeis and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Brandeis or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Brandeis vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Brandeis or Virginia?
The average aid package is $57,507 at Brandeis and $37,123 at Virginia.
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