Washington University in St Louis (WashU) vs Brandeis
Washington University in St. Louis and Brandeis University, both esteemed private research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Washington University boasts a lower acceptance rate (14%) compared to Brandeis (32%), indicating its highly selective admissions process. While both universities offer a diverse range of majors, Washington University excels in engineering, computer science, and business, while Brandeis is renowned for its strengths in social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Washington University's student body is slightly larger and more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. In terms of outcomes, Washington University has a slightly higher graduation rate (89%) than Brandeis (87%). Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brandeis University |
![]() Washington University in St Louis |
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Overview |
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Location | Waltham, Massachusetts | Saint Louis, Missouri |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: 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% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 39.1% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1370 - 1530 | 1490 - 1570 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 40.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | 41.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,796 | 33,634 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,834 | 4,373 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 943 | 1,980 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 45.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,006 | $81,620 |
Average net price | $35,147 | $28,298 |
Tuition | $59,408 | $57,750 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,380
Meal plan:
$7,070
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Room/dormitory:
$12,350
Meal plan:
$5,550
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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 |
44.0%
Average amount $51,288 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,948 |
14.0%
Average amount $4,790 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $22,397 |
2.0%
Average amount $25,095 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,591
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
8,034
Men 46.4% Women 53.6% |
Graduate students |
1,967
Men 43.5% Women 56.5% |
8,939
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 88.2% |
International students | 25.4% | 26.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,950 | 6,826 |
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 | California Missouri New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 87.5% | 93.1% |
Dropout rate | 4.5% | 6.5% |
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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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
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