<p>With respect to academics, I believe you’re comparing apples and oranges. BC has nearly three times as many undergraduates as does Brandeis-nearly nine thousand versus just over three thousand. Brandeis functions as a small liberal arts college in the midst of a world-class research institution. I belive it is the smallest student body of the top tier universities (perhaps other than CalTech). Its theater arts, music and fine arts programs are also renowned. In terms of its intellectuality, it is much more comparable to its UAA bretheren, the University of Chicago or Wash U, or other small research universities like Johns Hopkins, than it is to BC. With respect to prestige as it affects success rates in admissions to the best graduate schools, including med school and law school, it would be hard to beat Brandeis. However, if you’re looking for a prestigious Div I athletics program, it’s BC hands down over all other schools in the Boston area. I would compare BC more closely with its more prestigious Catholic bretheren, Notre Dame and Georgetown.</p>