Selective Private · Waltham, MA
Brandeis University
Moderately selective. 40.5% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Brandeis oddsHow hard is it to get into Brandeis?
Brandeis is moderately selective, with a 40.5% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1390–1520 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 40.5% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1390–1520 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 31–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $86,448 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,618 |
| Type | Private · Selective Private |
| Setting | Campus setting |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Brandeis's 40.5% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1390–1520 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1520, and a quarter scored below 1390. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Brandeis?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorBrandeis Test Score Profile
Admitted students score in the following ranges across SAT sections:
SAT Reading
690–750
25th–75th percentile
SAT Math
700–770
25th–75th percentile
Strong applicants tend to score above the 75th percentile in their stronger section and at or above the 25th percentile in their weaker one. Both numbers are descriptive, not prescriptive. Plenty of admitted students score below the 25th percentile in one section, especially with strong context elsewhere.
Beyond the Numbers
Brandeis is best known for Jewish-sponsored, nonsectarian roots, strong programs in social justice and Middle Eastern studies, and a campus in Waltham, Massachusetts. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Brandeis essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Brandeis essays with tools tuned to Brandeis's prompts.
Brandeis vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Selective Private schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandeis This page | 40.5% | 1390–1520 | — |
| Tufts | 9.5% | 1490–1550 | $39,998 |
| Boston College | 16.4% | 1440–1540 | $41,704 |
| BU | 11.1% | 1420–1530 | $24,402 |
| Northeastern | 5.2% | 1440–1540 | $30,915 |
| Tulane | 14.0% | 1400–1520 | $39,949 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Brandeis?
Brandeis is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 40.5%. Admitted students score in the 1390–1520 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Brandeis?
Admitted students at Brandeis typically score between 1390 and 1520 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1520, and a quarter scored below 1390. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Brandeis's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Brandeis Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Brandeis's most recent publicly published admit cycle.