West Virginia 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 89% (West Virginia).
The more international environment is at Brandeis (19.3% international students) than West Virginia (1.7%).
Average aid for an international student is $56,730 (Brandeis) and $21,636 (West Virginia).
The tuition gap is $42,349 a year: $28,608 (West Virginia) against $70,957.
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
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 89% acceptance). Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia for: lower tuition.
Choose Brandeis 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
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 89% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1110).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $56K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | West Virginia | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1110 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 20,150 | 10,462 |
| International students | 1.7% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $36K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 64.7% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 83.4% | 87% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $28,608 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,730 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 63% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,010 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $65 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 23,643 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into West Virginia or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. West Virginia accepts 89% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do West Virginia or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at West Virginia vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,608 per year at West Virginia and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1110 at West Virginia and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - West Virginia or Brandeis?
Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for West Virginia vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - West Virginia or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $16,730 at West Virginia and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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