Brown University
About Brown University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It is known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study without general education requirements. Brown is strong in humanities, computer science, and applied mathematics.
Founded
1764
Location
Providence, Rhode Island
Students
11,272
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
5.4%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
95.7%
Above national average
Tuition
$71,412
Per year
Avg Net Price
$25,184
After financial aid
SAT Average
1546
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$93,487
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 5.4 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$75
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 5
With a 5.4% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1546, Brown University is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1546/ 1600
ACT Scores
34/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
95.7% complete their degree within six years
Retention
98.8%
4-Year Grad
86%
6-Year Grad
96%
Teaching Quality
6:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
92.4%
$/Student
$42.5K
Class Size
Small
86% of students graduate on time, and with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$71,412
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,444
Books & Supplies
$0
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,648
After Financial Aid
$25,184
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-420
Receive Grants
13.8%
Take Loans
9.6%
Don't let the $71,412 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $25,184 after financial aid, a 65% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-420.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Brown University fund their education.
While in School
13.8%
Get Grants
Free money
9.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$82,670
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$11,428
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$121/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $11,428, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Brown University.
Gender
50%
Female
50%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
7,226
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
4,046
Graduates
17%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
1.7%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (50% women, 50% men). 17% are first-generation college students. 12.7% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
7,226
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Open curriculum lets you design your own education
- +Providence is a walkable, affordable arts city
- +Creative, non-competitive campus culture
- +Strong sense of community despite Ivy status
Cons
- -Providence is small and can feel limiting
- -No core requirements means you might miss key subjects
- -Housing lottery can be stressful
- -Dining options on campus could be better
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Brown University fields 22 varsity teams with 998 student athletes, about 14% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Ivy League
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
22
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
998
14% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
49% / 51%
494
Men
504
Women
14
Men's Teams
19
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Brown Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$93,487
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$151K
236 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$72K
179 grads
1yr Earnings
Applied Mathematics
$99K
173 grads
1yr Earnings
International Relations and National Security Studies
$46K
137 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$36K
110 grads
1yr Earnings
Engineering, General
$86K
80 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $79K six years out, climb to $77K by year eight, and reach $93K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brown University
What is the acceptance rate at Brown University?▾
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What is the graduation rate at Brown University?▾
How much do Brown University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.