Princeton vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Princeton: 4.4% against 40.5% (Brandeis).
The share of international students differs sharply: 19.3% (Brandeis) against 13.1% (Princeton).
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $56,730 (Brandeis).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $93,441 and ends at $16,304 against $35,934 (Brandeis).
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 40.47% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #301-400). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $77K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 40.47% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1460).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $77K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 86%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $70,957); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 10,462 |
| International students | 13.1% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 87% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 100% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Princeton or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Brandeis?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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