Northeastern vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northeastern admits 5.2% of applicants, while Brandeis admits 40.5%.
The more international environment is at Brandeis (19.3% international students) than Northeastern (13.1%).
Real money goes to international students at Brandeis ($56,730 on average), while Northeastern stops at $24,539.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Brandeis lists $93,441 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $35,934 against $45,782.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 40.47% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #301-400). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $77K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 Northeastern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Brandeis for: a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 40.47% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1490 vs 1460).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $77K); Northeastern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.5% vs 86%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 10,462 |
| International students | 13.1% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 87% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Northeastern or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Brandeis?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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