Brandeis University MBA: Fees, Requirements, Specializations & Careers

Planning to pursue an MBA in the USA? Brandeis University can be an interesting option if you want a customizable business degree close to Boston. The university is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, giving students access to the Greater Boston region and its finance, technology and innovation ecosystem.

For international applicants researching the Brandeis MBA, factors such as admission requirements, tuition, STEM eligibility, scholarships and employment outcomes are especially important when comparing it with other MBA programs in the USA.

The Brandeis University MBA is a two-year, 64-credit program designed for students looking to advance their careers or move into a new business field. Students can customize the degree through concentrations in areas such as Finance, Data Analytics, Marketing and Real Estate.

If Brandeis University is on your shortlist, understanding its MBA fees, admission requirements, concentrations, scholarships and career outcomes can help you decide whether the program matches your goals.

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Brandeis MBA: Quick Overview

Here are the key details you should know before exploring the program further.

*Career figures reported by Brandeis for MBA graduates of 2024 and 2025. Salary information is based on a 78% salary response rate.

Why Consider an MBA at Brandeis University?

Choosing an MBA is about more than the university name. You need to look at what you will study, where you will study, how much flexibility you have and whether the program supports your career plans.

Here are some features that make the Brandeis MBA worth considering:

• Location near Boston: Brandeis is in Waltham, close to the Greater Boston business ecosystem.
• Customizable curriculum: Students can use electives to complete one or two MBA concentrations.
• Hands-on learning: Internships, field projects, industry treks and competitions help connect classroom learning with business situations.
• STEM options: Finance and Data Analytics are STEM-designated concentrations.
• Career support: Students have access to career coaching, networking and employer engagement opportunities.
• Scholarship consideration: All admitted MBA students are considered for scholarships.
• Experiential learning support: Graduate students beginning in Fall can receive guaranteed summer experiential-learning stipends of up to $4,000.

These features can be particularly useful if you are an international student looking for both classroom learning and practical exposure during your MBA.

Brandeis MBA Specializations and Curriculum

The Brandeis MBA requires 64 credits over two years. Students complete the core curriculum and use elective credits to build expertise in areas that match their career goals.

MBA students can currently choose from six concentrations. Students may use their electives to complete one or two concentrations.

Data Analytics

If you enjoy working with numbers but want to apply those skills to business decisions, Data Analytics can be a good fit.

The concentration focuses on using quantitative information to analyze business situations and identify trends. It can support career paths involving business analytics, consulting and data-driven decision-making.

Data Analytics is also one of the two STEM-designated MBA concentrations at Brandeis.

Finance

The Finance concentration is designed for students interested in understanding how companies and investors make financial decisions.

Students can build knowledge around corporate finance, investments, valuation, financial markets and risk.

Finance is the second STEM-designated MBA concentration, making it particularly relevant to eligible international students considering post-study work opportunities in the US.

Marketing

Prefer understanding customers, brands and markets?

The Marketing concentration lets you explore areas such as branding strategy, consumer behavior and marketing analytics. It can be useful for students targeting roles in brand management, product marketing, consumer research and related business functions.

Real Estate

The Real Estate concentration combines business education with the analysis of real estate investments and projects.

Students interested in areas such as real estate investment, development, asset management or consulting may find this concentration relevant to their career plans.

Social Impact

Social Impact broadens the MBA beyond traditional corporate roles.

The concentration focuses on tackling business and global challenges while considering social responsibility, sustainability and the broader impact organizations have on society.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Strategy

Have an entrepreneurial mindset or see yourself working in strategy?

This concentration focuses on strategic planning, innovation and entrepreneurship. Students can combine coursework with practical experiences to develop skills applicable to startups, consulting, business development and strategy-focused roles.

Brandeis MBA Admission Requirements

The MBA application is where many students have the most questions. Do you need the GMAT? How much work experience should you have? Which English test should you take?

Here is what you should know.

Academic Requirements

Applicants need to provide transcripts from their post-secondary institutions as part of the application.

Rather than assuming you need a specific GPA such as 3.5, focus on presenting a strong overall academic and professional profile. Your transcripts form one part of the application considered during the admission process.

Work Experience

The Brandeis two-year MBA is designed for students with professional experience. Brandeis describes two years of work experience as preferred for the MBA.

If you have already worked for a few years, use your resume and application materials to show how that experience connects with what you want to achieve through an MBA.

Is GMAT or GRE Required for Brandeis MBA?

No. GMAT and GRE scores are currently optional for the Brandeis MBA application.

This means you should not assume that you need a minimum GMAT score of 600 or a particular GRE score to apply.

If you choose to submit a GMAT or GRE score because you believe it strengthens your academic profile, you can include it with your application.

English Language Requirements

International applicants may need to demonstrate English-language proficiency.

Brandeis accepts the following tests, where applicable:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Duolingo English Test
• PTE Academic

English-proficiency requirements can be waived for eligible applicants, so check your individual waiver eligibility before registering for a test.

Brandeis MBA Application Process and Deadlines

Applying becomes easier when you break the process into smaller steps.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Start by reviewing your academic background, professional experience and English-language requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Collect your transcripts, resume, essay, recommendation and English test score if required. If you plan to submit a GMAT or GRE score, keep that ready as well.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application
Create your account on the Brandeis School of Business and Economics application portal and complete the required sections.

Step 4: Review Before Submitting
Double-check names, dates, employment information and uploaded documents. Small mistakes are easier to correct before you click submit.

Step 5: Submit Before Your Target Deadline
The published Fall MBA application rounds currently include:

Brandeis also offers a spring start for the part-time MBA, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

International applicants should apply early enough to leave sufficient time for admission decisions, financial planning and US student visa processing.

Brandeis MBA Fees and Cost of Attendance

Your MBA budget should never stop at tuition.

You may also need to plan for housing, food, books, health insurance, transportation and personal expenses. International students should additionally account for visa-related and travel costs.

Because the MBA requires 64 credits, tuition can represent a significant part of your total study budget. However, the amount you actually pay may differ depending on the academic year, enrollment status, university fees and any scholarship you receive.

Before applying, check the latest Brandeis tuition rate and estimated cost of attendance for your entry year. This will give you a more accurate picture of the amount you may need to cover through scholarships, savings or education financing.

A simple MBA budget can include:

This is also where planning your finances early matters. If your savings and scholarship do not cover the full cost, you can explore an education loan for the USA or other eligible funding options.

Brandeis MBA Scholarships and Financial Aid

Brandeis states that all admitted MBA students are automatically considered for merit scholarships as part of the admission process, so a separate scholarship application is generally not required for this consideration. Current MBA materials indicate that merit scholarships can range from $5,000 to full tuition.

Of course, being considered does not mean every student will receive the same amount. Your actual scholarship will depend on the university’s evaluation.

When comparing your MBA funding options, consider:

• Brandeis merit scholarships
• Personal or family savings
• External scholarships
• Education loans
• Other eligible financial assistance

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Is the Brandeis MBA STEM-Designated?

This question is especially important for international students.

The Brandeis MBA is not STEM-designated for every student. Instead, Brandeis currently offers two STEM-designated MBA concentrations:

1. Data Analytics
2. Finance

Brandeis states that international students who select one of these STEM-designated concentrations may be eligible to extend the standard 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) period by an additional 24 months, subject to US government eligibility requirements.

So, if STEM eligibility matters to your post-MBA plans, your choice of concentration becomes important.

Brandeis MBA Career Outcomes

Recent Brandeis MBA outcomes provide a useful snapshot of graduate employment, although they should be viewed as historical results rather than a guarantee of future placement or salary.

Brandeis reports the following outcomes for its 2024 and 2025 MBA graduates:

Brandeis notes that the salary figure is based on a 78% salary response rate, and reported salaries reached up to $150,000 depending on industry and experience.

These figures are useful when researching the program, but they should not be treated as guaranteed outcomes. Your own salary and employment prospects can depend on your previous experience, concentration, location, industry, networking, immigration/work authorization and the job market when you graduate.

Where Can a Brandeis MBA Lead?

The program is designed to support students who want either to progress in their existing field or change career direction.

Depending on your concentration and experience, you could explore areas such as:

• Financial technology
• Finance and investments
• Consulting
• Business and data analytics
• Marketing
• Innovation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Real estate
• Entrepreneurship

Brandeis’s career resources include personalized coaching, workshops, employer and alumni networking, internship support and access to job-search tools.

Is Brandeis MBA Right for International Students?

Brandeis may deserve a place on your shortlist if you want:

• A two-year MBA near Boston
• A relatively customizable curriculum
• Finance or Data Analytics STEM options
• Practical experience through a required practicum
• Scholarship consideration with your admission application
• Career coaching and experiential learning
• The option to combine one or two concentrations

Before making a decision, compare the total cost, curriculum, scholarship opportunities and career outcomes with other MBA programs you are considering.

For international students in particular, look beyond rankings. Ask yourself: Does this MBA match the industry, role, budget and post-study career path I am actually targeting?

That question will usually tell you more than a ranking alone.

How to Finance Your Brandeis MBA

Even with a scholarship, studying for an MBA in the US can require significant financial planning.

Start by estimating your total study cost rather than looking only at tuition. Your budget may include university fees, accommodation, food, insurance, books, transportation, flights and personal expenses.

Once you know your expected cost, subtract:

Total study cost – scholarship – savings/family contribution = estimated funding gap

If there is still a gap, an education loan may help you fund eligible study expenses.

Nomad Credit helps international students explore study-abroad financing options and understand education loan choices from different lenders. Comparing options early can give you more time to understand interest rates, repayment terms, collateral requirements and other loan conditions before choosing.

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Conclusion: Plan Your Brandeis MBA Journey with Nomad Credit

The Brandeis University MBA is worth considering if you want a flexible two-year program near Boston with practical learning opportunities and STEM-designated concentrations in Finance and Data Analytics.

With optional GMAT/GRE scores and merit scholarship consideration for admitted students, the program offers several advantages for international applicants. Before applying, compare the latest costs, admission requirements and career opportunities with your goals and budget.

If funding is part of your MBA planning, Nomad Credit can help you explore education loan options and find financing that fits your study plans.

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