Harvard vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Harvard: 3.6% against 40.5% (Brandeis).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Brandeis stops at $56,730.
A rare case with no trade-off: Harvard both costs less ($64,796 against $70,957) and delivers a higher median salary after a decade ($102K against $77K, Brandeis).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Harvard: a midpoint of 1553 against 1460, a difference of 93 points.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 40.47% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #301-400). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $77K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 40.47% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1460).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $77K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 86%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $70,957); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 10,462 |
| International students | 15.7% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 87% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 100% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $85 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Harvard or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Brandeis?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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