- Acceptance rate: 40% for fall 2024
- Average high school GPA: 3.84, as reported by the college for 2025–26
- SAT, middle 50%: 690–750 reading and writing, 700–770 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 31–34 composite
- Average net price: $44,668 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
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Where you standEnter your GPA
Type your GPA to compare it with what Brandeis University reported: an average GPA of 3.84 (2025–26), an acceptance rate of 40% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 31–34.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Brandeis University reviews each application.
Brandeis University average GPA
Brandeis University reported an average high school GPA of 3.84 for its first-year students who submitted one (87% did), in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.
An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so this figure can't be compared directly with your own GPA.
Brandeis University acceptance rate
Brandeis University admitted 4,237 of 10,462 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 40%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Brandeis University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Waltham, Massachusetts, with 3,632 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered Brandeis University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 690 | 730 | 750 |
| SAT Math | 700 | 740 | 770 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 32 | 34 |
| ACT English | 31 | 34 | 35 |
| ACT Math | 27 | 30 | 34 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1462 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What Brandeis University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Required |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Required |
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Not considered |
AP credit
Brandeis University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $44,668 a year at Brandeis University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a chance at Brandeis with a 3.5 GPA?
GPA alone can't tell you here. Brandeis University admitted 40% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
What GPA does Brandeis look for?
Brandeis University doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.84, as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.
How hard is it to get into Brandeis?
Selective: fewer than half of applicants got in. Brandeis University admitted 40% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What is the acceptance rate at Brandeis?
Brandeis University's acceptance rate was 40% for fall 2024: it admitted 4,237 of 10,462 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
What SAT and ACT scores do Brandeis students have?
The middle 50% of Brandeis University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 690–750 in reading and writing and 700–770 in math; ACT composite 31–34, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
Is Brandeis test optional?
Check Brandeis University's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. Brandeis University was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 30% sent SAT scores and 10% sent ACT scores.
How important is GPA for getting into Brandeis?
It's one factor among several: Brandeis University requires high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, test scores, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests and demonstration of competencies. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Does Brandeis accept AP credit?
Yes. Brandeis University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Does Brandeis look at legacy status?
Yes. Brandeis University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
How much does Brandeis cost after financial aid?
First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $44,668 a year at Brandeis University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Sources
- College Navigator: Brandeis UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- Brandeis University Common Data Set 2025–26Brandeis University: average high school GPA of first-year students.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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