Brandeis vs Northeastern

Brandeis University and Northeastern University, both located in the vibrant city of Boston, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Brandeis, known for its rigorous academics and strong liberal arts foundation, boasts an acceptance rate of 33%, while Northeastern, renowned for its experiential learning opportunities and co-op programs, has an acceptance rate of 28%. While both universities attract a diverse student body, Brandeis has a slightly higher percentage of international students. In terms of popular majors, Brandeis excels in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, while Northeastern is known for its strengths in engineering, business, and computer science. With graduation rates of 89% and 87% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers. To help you make an informed decision, we have 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	Northeastern University
Overview
Location	Waltham, Massachusetts	Boston, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
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%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	39.1%	18.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1370 - 1530	1430 - 1550
ACT range	31 - 34	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	14.0%
Total number of applicants	9,796	75,244
Total number of admissions given out	3,834	13,829
Admitted students who chose to enroll	943	4,504
Yield rate	24.6%	32.6%
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	$78,202
Average net price	$35,147	$38,927
Tuition	$59,408	$56,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,380 Meal plan: $7,070	Room/dormitory: $9,900 Meal plan: $7,910
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	83.0% Average amount $29,119	80.0% Average amount $36,308
Students receiving federal student loan	26.0% Average amount $3,948	44.0% Average amount $5,154
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $22,397	5.0% Average amount $28,495

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,591 Men 40.5% Women 59.5%	15,747 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	1,967 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%	12,420 Men 52.1% Women 47.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	25.4%	34.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,950	10,481
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	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Computer and Information Science	Engineering Computer and Information Science Health Professions Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.5%	90.6%
Dropout rate	4.5%	5.1%
Transferred out	7.2%	3.8%
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	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,157 Year 2: $102,123 Year 3: $124,358 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,863 Year 2: $100,518 Year 3: $122,957 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,631 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $121,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,065 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $110,392 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $95,288 Year 2: $89,413 Year 3: $108,000 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $104,196 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,801 Year 2: $89,415 Year 3: $103,529 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,777 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $102,904 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,529 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,566 Biotechnology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,825 Year 2: $80,556 Year 3: $98,428

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Brandeis University is a smaller, private research university known for its strong liberal arts focus and social justice orientation. Northeastern University is a larger, private research university distinguished by its cooperative education (co-op) program, experiential learning opportunities, and strong connections to industry.
How do the academic focuses of Brandeis and Northeastern differ?

Brandeis excels in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Northeastern is renowned for its STEM programs, business, health sciences, and design, integrating practical experience into its curriculum.
What is the co-op program at Northeastern University, and does Brandeis offer something similar?

Northeastern's co-op program is a hallmark, allowing students to alternate semesters of academic study with full-time, paid work experiences related to their field. Brandeis doesn't have a formal co-op program like Northeastern, but it offers internships, research opportunities, and community engagement programs to provide practical experience.
Which university is larger, Brandeis or Northeastern?

Northeastern University is significantly larger than Brandeis University, both in terms of student population and campus size. This difference impacts the overall campus feel and the availability of resources.
How do the campus cultures compare at Brandeis and Northeastern?

Brandeis has a close-knit, intellectually curious, and socially conscious campus culture. Northeastern's campus culture is more career-focused, driven by innovation, and connected to the city of Boston. Northeastern's campus is more integrated into the urban environment, while Brandeis has a more traditional, self-contained campus feel.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities like at each university?

Both Brandeis and Northeastern have similar tuition costs. Both universities offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for the most up-to-date information and to use their net price calculators to estimate your individual cost.
Which university is better for students interested in social justice and activism?

While both universities value civic engagement, Brandeis University has a stronger historical emphasis on social justice and activism. Its founding was rooted in principles of inclusivity and equality, and this commitment is reflected in its academic programs, student organizations, and campus culture.
How do the locations of Brandeis and Northeastern impact student life?

Brandeis is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, offering a more traditional campus environment with easy access to the city. Northeastern is located in the heart of Boston, providing students with direct access to a vibrant urban environment, numerous internship and job opportunities, and a wide range of cultural and entertainment options.
What types of research opportunities are available at Brandeis and Northeastern?

Both Brandeis and Northeastern are research universities, offering various research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Brandeis emphasizes faculty-mentored research across disciplines. Northeastern focuses on use-inspired research, often in collaboration with industry partners, reflecting its experiential learning approach.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare between the two universities?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Northeastern's co-op program provides a significant advantage in terms of career preparation and networking. Both universities have active alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and support for graduates.
What are the acceptance rates for Brandeis and Northeastern?

Both Brandeis and Northeastern are selective universities, but Northeastern generally has a lower acceptance rate, making it slightly more competitive to get into. Check the universities' websites for the most current acceptance rate data.
If I'm unsure about my major, which university might be a better fit?

Brandeis, with its strong liberal arts foundation and emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, can be a good choice for students who are still exploring their academic interests. Northeastern's co-op program can also help students explore different career paths through practical work experience, but it's beneficial to have a general idea of your field of interest.

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