Waltham, MA · Private University
Is Brandeis University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$77,231
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,946
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,946
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,784
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.19x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,648
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$33,885
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Brandeis University graduates earn $32,231 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Brandeis University ranked by graduate earnings
50 graduates
49 graduates
60 graduates
17 graduates
46 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Brandeis University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Brandeis University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $115,672) and the lowest (Research and Experimental Psychology: $37,494) is $78,178/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $115,672 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $87,870 | 1.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $78,672 | 1.2x |
| Chemistry | $61,613 | 0.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,589 | 0.9x |
| International/Global Studies | $60,540 | 0.9x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $60,055 | 0.9x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $57,832 | 0.9x |
| History | $57,175 | 0.9x |
| Area Studies | $55,201 | 0.8x |
| Anthropology | $54,960 | 0.8x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other(1yr data) | $51,615 | 0.8x |
| Sociology | $50,018 | 0.8x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $48,239 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General | $47,448 | 0.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $47,410 | 0.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,951 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,290 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental PsychologyLowest(1yr data) | $37,494 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandeis University | 1.19x | $77,231 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
| University of Rochester | 1.23x | $79,042 | Average ROI |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1.20x | $75,217 | Average ROI |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1.11x | $76,124 | Average ROI |
| Lafayette College | 1.46x | $91,410 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Brandeis University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $77,231 10 years after starting — $32,231 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.