Brandeis launches Faye, a first-of-its-kind platform that shows students what they’ll pay before they apply
May 11, 2026
What will college actually cost?
At most universities, that answer comes late in the admissions process, after applications, forms, and weeks of waiting.
At Brandeis, that timeline is changing.
The university has launched Faye, a new calculator that provides students with a personalized price of what they will pay, based on their academic and financial information, before they apply.
Developed in partnership with Noodle, Faye is now available in beta, with a full rollout planned for August 1, aligning with the opening of the Fall 2027 undergraduate application.
A National Conversation
The launch comes at a moment of growing national attention on the cost and value of higher education.
In an exclusive feature titled “With just one word, Brandeis is trying to change college shopping,” The New York Times highlights Brandeis’ effort to bring greater clarity and transparency to college cost.
“The fact that the school is even trying it is a kind of victory for anyone who has ever wailed in agony over the complexity of college pricing and the futility of trying to figure it out.”
Ron Lieber, The New York Times’
Five Things to Know About Faye
A New Level of Clarity and Transparency
Faye guides users through a series of questions about their academic background and financial situation to calculate a personalized price that brings together need-based aid and merit scholarships.
As students provide more detail, the calculation becomes more precise, moving from a broad estimate to a clear, individualized figure.
Unlike traditional net price calculators, which rely on limited inputs and provide general estimates, Faye delivers a tailored, dynamic view of cost earlier in the college search process. It represents a new approach to cost transparency in higher education.
When cost is unclear, students often make assumptions that don’t reflect what they will actually pay. According to a recent study from the Brookings Institution, only about 12 to 16 percent of students at private colleges pay the published price.
“Too often, students see the sticker price and assume a school isn’t affordable, so they don’t apply,” said Jennifer Walker, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “By showing families their price upfront, Faye makes it easier to see what’s actually possible.”
Where Reinvention Meets Reality
Faye is part of a broader effort at Brandeis University to rethink how higher education must evolve to meet the needs of today’s students.
The university is connecting rigorous academic study with real-world experience, mentorship, and career preparation, ensuring that what students learn is directly linked to what they do and where they go next.
Bringing that same clarity to cost is a natural extension of that work, making one of the most complex parts of the college process more transparent and easier to navigate.
“Brandeis has always been committed to expanding access for those historically excluded from higher education,” said President Arthur Levine. “Today, one of the greatest barriers is family income. Faye is about showing that a top-tier university can be accessible to far more students than they may think.”
