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Brown University

Brown University

Providence, RI · City · 7,226 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.brown.edu
$25,184
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
$0
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
96%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$93,487
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
5%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Brown University, an Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is best known for its progressive, student-centered approach to education anchored by its distinctive Open Curriculum, which eliminates core general education requirements to allow undergraduates to design their own multidisciplinary pathways. The university boasts top-tier programs in computer science, international and public affairs, English, and biomedical engineering, alongside standout specialized tracks such as the eight-year Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) and a prestigious dual-degree program with the neighboring Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Campus culture on College Hill is exceptionally collaborative, creative, and socially engaged, fostering an intellectually adventurous environment where students are encouraged to take academic risks through flexible grading options like universal pass/fail.

Wikipedia:Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The university is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. One of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution, it was the first American college to codify that admission and instruction of students was to be equal regardless of the religious affiliation of students.

Location
Providence, RI, 02912 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PVD · Providence
7 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$71,412
Housing & food (on campus)$17,444
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$99,994
Average net price$25,184
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$71,412
Housing & food (on campus)$17,444
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$99,994
Average net price$25,184
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: finaid.brown.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Brown University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$74,568
Fees$3,084
Housing$10,710
Food$8,754
Personal expenses$2,878
Total published by the school$99,994
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$-420
$30–48k
$2,031
$48–75k
$5,858
$75–110k
$16,219
$110k+
$44,937
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$22,364
Share of first-years who get oneunder 1%
Source: Brown University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
96%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
77%
Back for yr 2
99%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
97% graduated · 1% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$79,131
10 yrs after entry$93,487
Debt
Median at graduation$11,428
Monthly payment$121
Middle 50% owe$8k–$24.8k
90th percentile$35,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
5%
Test policy
Required
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1546
R 740–780 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
34
Comp 34–35 · E 35–36 · M 32–35
SAT middle 50%: 1510–1580
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.brown.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Brown University: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Brown University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Brown University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
6 : 1
Pell grant
14%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$82,670
Independent
2%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
33%
Hispanic
12%
Black
8%
Asian
23%
Two or more
8%
Non-resident
13%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Equestrian
    Women's
  • Fencing
    Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Sailing
    Women's · Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$79,131
After 10 yrs
$93,487
Computer Science236
Economics179
Applied Mathematics173
International Relations and National Security Studies137
Biology, General110
Engineering, General80
English Language and Literature, General77
Social Sciences, General75
Neurobiology and Neurosciences74
Research and Experimental Psychology65
History63
Fine and Studio Arts59
Political Science and Government58
Area Studies53
Human Biology53
Natural Resources Conservation and Research41
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$6.7B
Full-time faculty
92%
Faculty salary
$17,839/mo
Teaching spend
$42,520
per student
Federal loans
10%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$375M research spending · 262 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Brown University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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