Brandeis vs Clark University

Brandeis University and Clark University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Brandeis, situated in Waltham, Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 33%, while Clark, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 42%. In terms of student body demographics, Brandeis has a larger undergraduate population with approximately 3,600 students compared to Clark's 2,200 undergraduates. Both universities offer a diverse range of popular majors, with Brandeis excelling in fields like Economics, Biology, and Computer Science, and Clark specializing in Psychology, Business Administration, and Biology. When it comes to graduation rates, Brandeis maintains a higher rate of 88% compared to Clark's 82%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences

	Brandeis University	Clark University
Overview
Location	Waltham, Massachusetts	Worcester, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	39.1%	48.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $100
SAT range	1370 - 1530	1218 - 1403
ACT range	31 - 34	27 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	17.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	9,796	8,151
Total number of admissions given out	3,834	3,915
Admitted students who chose to enroll	943	505
Yield rate	24.6%	12.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$75,006	$62,302
Average net price	$35,147	$31,565
Tuition	$59,408	$49,950
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,380 Meal plan: $7,070	Room/dormitory: $6,000 Meal plan: $4,150
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	83.0% Average amount $29,119	95.0% Average amount $27,608
Students receiving federal student loan	26.0% Average amount $3,948	60.0% Average amount $5,282
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $22,397	9.0% Average amount $16,271

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,591 Men 40.5% Women 59.5%	2,302 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students	1,967 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%	1,048 Men 49.3% Women 50.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	25.4%	23.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,950	1,633
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi New York New Jersey California Connecticut	Mississippi New York Connecticut Maine New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Computer and Information Science	Business Mathematics and Statistics Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.5%	79.0%
Dropout rate	4.5%	6.8%
Transferred out	7.2%	14.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,340 Year 2: $80,309 Year 3: $101,400 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,678 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,160 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,105 Year 2: $66,401 Year 3: $70,790 Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,731 Year 2: $55,840 Year 3: $64,826 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,010 Year 2: $54,192 Year 3: $63,166 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,126 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $59,597 Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $49,902 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,983 Year 2: $44,356 Year 3: $49,523 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,142 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $47,023 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,477 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $46,669	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,601 Year 2: $64,328 Year 3: $76,941 Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,259 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $68,708 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,937 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $58,038 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,649 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $50,210 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $48,148 Year 2: $44,418 Year 3: $49,665 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,833 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $49,591 Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $32,656 Year 2: $39,639 Year 3: $47,508 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,412 Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $46,715 Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,423 Year 3: $46,559 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $46,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Brandeis University and Clark University?

Brandeis University is a private research university known for its strong liberal arts focus and emphasis on social justice, while Clark University is a private research university with a distinctive model of liberal education and research opportunities, particularly strong in geography, psychology, and environmental science. Brandeis tends to have a larger undergraduate population and a more suburban campus setting compared to Clark's smaller size and urban location in Worcester, MA.
How do the academic reputations of Brandeis and Clark compare?

Both Brandeis and Clark are respected academic institutions. Brandeis is often recognized for its strengths in humanities, social sciences, and sciences, with a strong emphasis on research. Clark is particularly well-regarded for its geography, psychology, and environmental science programs, and its 'LEEP' (Liberal Education and Effective Practice) curriculum emphasizes real-world application of knowledge. Both universities offer a range of graduate programs as well.
What is the campus environment like at Brandeis versus Clark?

Brandeis University offers a more traditional, suburban campus experience in Waltham, MA, with a focus on community and student life. Clark University, located in Worcester, MA, provides a more urban campus environment, offering students access to city amenities and a diverse community. Clark's size fosters a close-knit community, while Brandeis offers a wider range of extracurricular activities due to its larger student body.
How do the costs of attending Brandeis and Clark compare, and what financial aid options are available?

Both Brandeis and Clark are private universities, so tuition costs are comparable. However, the actual cost to students can vary significantly based on financial aid packages. Both institutions offer need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites and use their net price calculators to get a personalized estimate of the cost of attendance based on your family's financial situation.
What types of students typically thrive at Brandeis versus Clark?

Brandeis tends to attract students who are passionate about social justice, intellectual curiosity, and engaging in meaningful discussions. Students who thrive at Brandeis are often proactive, independent learners who appreciate a strong sense of community. Clark attracts students who are interested in making a difference in the world through practical application of their knowledge. Students who thrive at Clark are often independent, globally-minded, and eager to engage in research and real-world experiences.
What are the popular majors at Brandeis and Clark?

At Brandeis, popular majors include economics, biology, psychology, politics, and business. At Clark, popular majors include psychology, environmental science, geography, political science, and biology. Both universities offer a wide range of programs across the liberal arts and sciences.
What career services and internship opportunities are available at each university?

Both Brandeis and Clark offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Brandeis has a strong alumni network and offers various internship programs, particularly in the Boston area. Clark's 'LEEP' curriculum integrates internships and real-world experiences into the academic program, providing students with practical skills and professional connections. Both universities actively support students in their career development.
How do the graduate programs at Brandeis and Clark differ?

Both Brandeis and Clark offer a variety of graduate programs. Brandeis has well-regarded graduate programs in fields like law, business, and social policy. Clark is particularly known for its graduate programs in geography, psychology, and education. The specific programs and areas of expertise differ, so it's best to explore the graduate school websites of each university for detailed information.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Brandeis and Clark, and how does this impact the learning environment?

Both Brandeis and Clark boast relatively low student-faculty ratios, fostering a more personalized learning environment. Brandeis has a student-faculty ratio of around 9:1, while Clark's is around 10:1. This allows for smaller class sizes, more interaction with professors, and greater opportunities for mentorship and research collaboration.
What are the surrounding areas of Brandeis and Clark like, and what opportunities do they offer?

Brandeis is located in Waltham, MA, a suburb of Boston, providing students with access to the cultural, professional, and academic resources of a major city while maintaining a more campus-focused environment. Clark is located in Worcester, MA, a mid-sized city with a growing arts and culture scene. Worcester offers students opportunities for internships, community engagement, and exploring a diverse urban environment. Boston is also easily accessible from Worcester.

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