Brandeis University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Brandeis University charges a net price of $35,736/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $142,944. Graduates earn a median $77,231 ten years after entry, $28,871/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5 years — a 20-year net return of $434,476, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Brandeis University's 5-year payback ranks #422 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 67% of them, and #28 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $35,736/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $142,944 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $77,231 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $28,871/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,648 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $434,476 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Brandeis University's own numbers. Net price $35,736 × 4 years = $142,944 total. Median earnings $77,231 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $28,871 a year of premium. $142,944 ÷ $28,871 = 5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $434,476. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Brandeis University students graduate with?
A median $25,648 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $77,231 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Brandeis University students graduate?
86% finish their degree. Spread the $142,944 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $166,214 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Brandeis University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $35,736 net price runs $10,853 above the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, or $43,412 more across the full degree.