Brandeis University

Waltham, MA 3,618 Undergrads 88.1% Grad Rate

School Website|Financial Calculator

Total Cost

$86,448

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$35,736

After Aid

Median Earnings

$76,742

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$35,736

Peer Midpoint: $20,080.5

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$76,742

Peer Midpoint: $60,428

Graduation Rate88.1%

Peer Midpoint: 58.9%

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients14.7%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time99.8%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS75.1%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

40.5%

SAT Avg

1,462

SAT Reading

25th: 69071075th: 750

SAT Math

25th: 70074075th: 770

ACT Composite

25th: 313375th: 34

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$665k

+$199k

+$181k

Median Cost$36k/yr

+$537k

+$70k

+$52k

Full Cost$86k/yr

+$354k

-$113k

-$130k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$36k/yr

41%

Full Cost$86k/yr

Never

-42%

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return12%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-62%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Bachelor's Degrees

Anthropology

BachCIP: 4502

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$57,423

Natl Median: $46,676

Lifetime Value Added

-$98k

Area Studies

BachCIP: 0501

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$54,306

Natl Median: $56,625

Lifetime Value Added

-$124k

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

BachCIP: 2602

Median Debt

$27,000

Earnings (2yr)

$37,208

Natl Median: $65,466

Lifetime Value Added

-$255k

Biology, General

BachCIP: 2601

Median Debt

$25,484

Earnings (4yr)

$58,384

Natl Median: $57,214

Lifetime Value Added

-$90k

Business/Commerce, General

BachCIP: 5201

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$108,405

Natl Median: $68,407

Lifetime Value Added

+$294k

Chemistry

BachCIP: 4005

Median Debt

$25,484

Earnings (5yr)

$69,682

Natl Median: $65,120

Lifetime Value Added

-$12k

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

BachCIP: 1612

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $49,429

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

BachCIP: 1107

Median Debt

$26,142

Earnings (4yr)

$123,460

Natl Median: $107,009

Lifetime Value Added

+$408k

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

BachCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$58,676

Natl Median: $39,775

Lifetime Value Added

-$88k

Economics

BachCIP: 4506

Median Debt

$25,295

Earnings (4yr)

$95,872

Natl Median: $82,686

Lifetime Value Added

+$198k

Education, General

BachCIP: 1301

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$39,009

Natl Median: $49,808

Lifetime Value Added

-$239k

English Language and Literature, General

BachCIP: 2301

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$62,291

Natl Median: $48,590

Lifetime Value Added

-$59k

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

BachCIP: 0502

Median Debt

$24,226

Earnings (4yr)

$73,256

Natl Median: $51,710

Lifetime Value Added

+$26k

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

BachCIP: 5006

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$50,720

Natl Median: $43,765

Lifetime Value Added

-$162k

Fine and Studio Arts

BachCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$36,141

Natl Median: $41,367

Lifetime Value Added

-$265k

History

BachCIP: 5401

Median Debt

$23,250

Earnings (4yr)

$59,426

Natl Median: $50,680

Lifetime Value Added

-$82k

International/Globalization Studies

BachCIP: 3020

Median Debt

$25,694

Earnings (4yr)

$66,366

Natl Median: $59,972

Lifetime Value Added

-$27k

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

BachCIP: 2401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,072

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

BachCIP: 1601

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$78,746

Natl Median: $49,984

Lifetime Value Added

+$68k

Mathematics

BachCIP: 2701

Median Debt

$26,559

Earnings (4yr)

$85,681

Natl Median: $69,562

Lifetime Value Added

+$121k

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

BachCIP: 3099

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$37,568

Natl Median: $55,693

Lifetime Value Added

-$252k

Music

BachCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,892

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

BachCIP: 0301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$73,936

Natl Median: $55,012

Lifetime Value Added

+$31k

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

BachCIP: 2615

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$68,179

Natl Median: $62,451

Lifetime Value Added

-$13k

Philosophy

BachCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$28,598

Natl Median: $54,455

Lifetime Value Added

-$333k

Physics

BachCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $76,786

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

BachCIP: 4510

Median Debt

$23,333

Earnings (4yr)

$74,018

Natl Median: $63,293

Lifetime Value Added

+$32k

Public Policy Analysis

BachCIP: 4405

Median Debt

$25,000

Earnings (4yr)

$75,580

Natl Median: $73,721

Lifetime Value Added

+$44k

Research and Experimental Psychology

BachCIP: 4227

Median Debt

$26,787

Earnings (4yr)

$67,838

Natl Median: $55,695

Lifetime Value Added

-$16k

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

BachCIP: 2313

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$47,895

Natl Median: $48,471

Lifetime Value Added

-$185k

Sociology

BachCIP: 4511

Median Debt

$27,000

Earnings (4yr)

$65,481

Natl Median: $52,657

Lifetime Value Added

-$34k

Master's Degrees

Anthropology

MastCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $61,276

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Applied Mathematics

MastCIP: 2703

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $116,060

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

MastCIP: 0501

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$47,260

Natl Median: $68,936

Lifetime Value Added

-$281k

Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

MastCIP: 2611

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $110,121

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biotechnology

MastCIP: 2612

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $107,682

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Administration, Management and Operations

MastCIP: 5202

Median Debt

$48,240

Earnings (4yr)

$102,843

Natl Median: $103,485

Lifetime Value Added

+$199k

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

MastCIP: 2604

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $76,837

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Chemistry

MastCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $82,937

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

MastCIP: 1612

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $58,499

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Community Organization and Advocacy

MastCIP: 4402

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$57,318

Natl Median: $67,597

Lifetime Value Added

-$182k

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other

MastCIP: 1199

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $139,553

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer and Information Sciences, General

MastCIP: 1101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$159,137

Natl Median: $124,201

Lifetime Value Added

+$687k

Computer Programming

MastCIP: 1102

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $148,974

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

MastCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$94,408

Natl Median: $145,571

Lifetime Value Added

+$159k

Computer Software and Media Applications

MastCIP: 1108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $120,083

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

MastCIP: 1110

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$122,038

Natl Median: $121,855

Lifetime Value Added

+$409k

Economics

MastCIP: 4506

Median Debt

$28,500

Earnings (4yr)

$87,354

Natl Median: $100,743

Lifetime Value Added

+$64k

Educational Administration and Supervision

MastCIP: 1304

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $71,685

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

MastCIP: 0502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,705

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Genetics

MastCIP: 2608

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,660

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

MastCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,360

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

International Business

MastCIP: 5211

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$79,450

Natl Median: $97,121

Lifetime Value Added

+$23k

International/Globalization Studies

MastCIP: 3020

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $86,219

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

MastCIP: 2401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,716

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Medical Illustration and Informatics

MastCIP: 5127

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $101,441

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Music

MastCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,285

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

MastCIP: 2615

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $73,229

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

MastCIP: 3005

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$40,467

Natl Median: $70,267

Lifetime Value Added

-$349k

Philosophy

MastCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $60,272

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other

MastCIP: 4499

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $70,515

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Policy Analysis

MastCIP: 4405

Median Debt

$41,000

Earnings (4yr)

$79,908

Natl Median: $93,020

Lifetime Value Added

-$1k

Research and Experimental Psychology

MastCIP: 4227

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $63,216

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

MastCIP: 1312

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$51,106

Natl Median: $59,916

Lifetime Value Added

-$242k

Doctoral Degrees

Anthropology

DocCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $77,473

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

DocCIP: 0501

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $69,249

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

DocCIP: 2602

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $112,683

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

DocCIP: 2604

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $99,578

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

DocCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $178,476

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Economics

DocCIP: 4506

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $135,560

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

English Language and Literature, General

DocCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,831

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

DocCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $70,550

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mathematics

DocCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $89,656

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Music

DocCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $59,592

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

DocCIP: 2615

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $96,176

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

DocCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $130,153

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

DocCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $90,908

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Psychology, General

DocCIP: 4201

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $98,707

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Policy Analysis

DocCIP: 4405

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $119,220

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Research and Experimental Psychology

DocCIP: 4227

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $103,410

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sociology

DocCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $88,618

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.