Houston vs Brandeis - 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 (#201-300 vs #301-400). 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 Houston for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Brandeis for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
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 | Houston | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 10,462 |
| International students | 5.7% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 87% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Houston or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Brandeis?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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