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Brandeis University

Waltham, MA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

3,663
Total Students
$65K
Tuition (In-State)
$65K
Tuition (Out-State)
$34K
Avg Net Price
35%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Graduation Rate
6-year
90%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Brandeis University

Brandeis: A vibrant, non-sectarian research university born from a quest for truth and academic freedom.

Nestled in Waltham, Massachusetts, just a stone's throw from the dynamic Greater Boston area, Brandeis University stands as a distinguished private research institution. Since its founding in 1948, Brandeis has been committed to a non-sectarian and coeducational environment, earning its classification as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity." Named after the revered U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, the university embodies a deep commitment to intellectual rigor and the pursuit of truth.

The genesis of Brandeis is as compelling as its academic mission. It emerged from the former Middlesex University, a unique medical school that notably did not impose quotas on Jewish students. The vision to establish a Jewish-sponsored secular university, championed by leaders like Israel Goldstein and George Alpert, and even drawing early support from Albert Einstein, shaped its foundational principles. This distinctive origin story underpins Brandeis's enduring dedication to inclusivity, open inquiry, and fostering a diverse academic community for students and faculty of all backgrounds.

Academically, Brandeis offers an exceptional learning environment. As a proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) since 1985, the university is a hub for cutting-edge research and scholarly innovation. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alone offers over 40 programs, including 18 doctoral degrees, providing vast opportunities for advanced study. Students also benefit from cross-registration options with other leading Boston-area institutions, expanding their academic horizons. The university's high caliber is reflected in its esteemed alumni and faculty, who include multiple Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award, and Abel Prize laureates.

Life on the 235-acre campus in a small city setting is vibrant and intellectually stimulating. Brandeis actively cultivates an atmosphere of robust discourse, marked by its official free expression principles and a history of hosting diverse speakers and discussions on significant topics. This dedication to open dialogue ensures that students are not only challenged academically but also encouraged to engage critically with the world around them, preparing them for impactful futures.

Key Highlights

  • Classified as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity."
  • Member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) since 1985.
  • Boasts an endowment of $1.36 billion (2025), supporting extensive academic resources and research.
  • Educates 4,696 students (fall 2025), including 3,342 undergraduates, in a close-knit intellectual community.
  • Strategically located in Waltham, Massachusetts, offering excellent access to the vast cultural and academic opportunities of the Greater Boston area.
  • Features a distinguished roster of alumni and faculty, including Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award, and Abel Prize laureates.
  • Upholds the motto: "Truth even unto its innermost parts" (Hebrew: Emet), reflecting its commitment to profound inquiry.

Timeline

1944
John Hall Smith, founder of Middlesex University, dies, stipulating the school go to a group establishing a non-sectarian university.
1946
Albert Einstein is recruited to support the nascent university project (February 5).
1946
The board decides the university will be named after Louis Brandeis (July 16).
1948
Brandeis University officially established as a non-sectarian, coeducational institution (October 20).
1985
Brandeis becomes a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
1994
Brandeis International Business School is established.
2018
The university adopts official free expression principles.
2024
A new presidential taskforce is set up to review free expression guidelines; President Ronald Liebowitz resigns.

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Brandeis University

💼

International Business School

Established in 1994 (originally as the Graduate School of International Economics and Finance), offering professional development and degree programs focused on global business.

🏫

The Rabb School of Continuing Studies

Provides professional development, personal enrichment, and lifelong learning opportunities with over 4,000 enrollments annually across four distinct divisions.

🎭

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Offers over 40 programs, including 18 doctoral programs, with cross-registration opportunities at Boston College, Boston University, and Tufts University.

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