Vanderbilt vs Brandeis
Vanderbilt University and Brandeis University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Vanderbilt, located in the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a larger student body, while Brandeis, situated in the historic town of Waltham, Massachusetts, offers a more intimate learning environment. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Vanderbilt known for its strong programs in engineering, music, and medicine, and Brandeis renowned for its exceptional offerings in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about the differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brandeis University |
![]() Vanderbilt University |
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Overview |
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Location | Waltham, Massachusetts | Nashville, Tennessee |
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% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 39.1% | 7.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1370 - 1530 | 1480 - 1570 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 40.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | 32.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,796 | 47,152 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,834 | 3,368 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 943 | 1,626 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 48.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,006 | $79,538 |
Average net price | $35,147 | $27,553 |
Tuition | $59,408 | $54,840 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,380
Meal plan:
$7,070
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Room/dormitory:
$12,000
Meal plan:
$6,376
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $29,119 |
64.0%
Average amount $49,730 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,948 |
10.0%
Average amount $4,979 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $22,397 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,798 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,591
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
7,111
Men 48.9% Women 51.1% |
Graduate students |
1,967
Men 43.5% Women 56.5% |
6,685
Men 39.5% Women 60.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 89.5% |
International students | 25.4% | 11.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,950 | 5,598 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New York New Jersey California Connecticut | Tennessee California New York Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.5% | 93.4% |
Dropout rate | 4.5% | 6.4% |
Transferred out | 7.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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