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Brandeis University vs Emmanuel College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Waltham MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Boston MA

The verdict

Brandeis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $142,944 in 5 years versus 5.4 years at Emmanuel College, on median earnings of $77,231 vs $68,245 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBrandeis UniversityEmmanuel College
Net price / yr$35,736$26,706
Total net cost$142,944$106,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$77,231$68,245
Median debt$25,648$27,000
Payback5 yrs5.4 yrs
20-year net return$434,476$290,876

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Brandeis University or Emmanuel College?

Emmanuel College, at $26,706 a year after aid versus $35,736 — a gap of $9,030 a year, or $36,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Brandeis University or Emmanuel College graduates earn more?

Brandeis University graduates report a median $77,231 ten years after entry, $8,986 more than the $68,245 at Emmanuel College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Brandeis University or Emmanuel College?

Brandeis University: its completers carry a median $25,648 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Emmanuel College, a difference of $1,352. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

86% of students finish at Brandeis University, against 68% at Emmanuel College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Brandeis University vs Emmanuel College: frequently asked questions

Is Brandeis University or Emmanuel College a better value?
Brandeis University. It clears its $142,944 net cost in about 5 years versus 5.4 years at Emmanuel College, on median earnings of $77,231 vs $68,245 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Brandeis University or Emmanuel College?
Emmanuel College: $26,706/yr net price after aid versus $35,736/yr at Brandeis University — a difference of $9,030 a year, or about $36,120 over four years.
Do Brandeis University or Emmanuel College graduates earn more?
Brandeis University graduates earn a median $77,231 ten years after entry, versus $68,245 at Emmanuel College — a $8,986 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.