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Brown University
Providence, RI
Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States. Founded in 1764, it holds a strong reputation for its rigorous academics, innovative curriculum, and commitment to student empowerment. Brown fosters an open and inclusive atmosphere that encourages intellectual exploration, social activism, and creative thinking.
Academically, Brown University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. Known for its dedication to a liberal arts education, students at Brown have the flexibility to design their own unique academic paths, allowing for interdisciplinary studies and the pursuit of individual interests. The university's Open Curriculum, implemented in 1969, empowers students to take control of their education and only requires them to fulfill certain broad distribution requirements, giving them the freedom to explore different fields.
Brown's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of its community. With a thriving student body composed of individuals from different cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, the university actively encourages collaboration, dialogue, and understanding among its diverse population. Brown supports numerous initiatives and organizations that promote social justice, sustainability, and public service, fostering a vibrant campus culture that encourages students to engage with the world and make a positive impact.
In summary, Brown University stands as an institution that values academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Through its innovative curriculum, inclusive community, and commitment to individual growth, Brown provides students with a unique and transformative educational experience. As a result, graduates of Brown go on to make significant contributions in various fields, shaping the future through their knowledge, leadership, and dedication to service.
Located in Providence, RI and set in an urban environment, Brown University is a private university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. The selection process is very rigorous, with an acceptance rate of merely 5%. The freshman retention rate at Brown University is 98.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 96%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 3. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Learn more about what Brown University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,741
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
5%
Acceptance Rate
$68,612
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
96%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Here are the most important data you have to know about admission at Brown University.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,686 in 2024. Brown University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an outstanding educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 54% and ACT scores 22%. 97% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 3% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 98 and 1 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 3. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is March 1.
5%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Brown University was 98.5%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 96%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the best fit for you is not simple. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Brown University in 2024 was 11,516.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 94% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,741, 886 of which were foreign students. 75 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,253 male and 5,579 female full-time students in 2024. 1,633 full-time graduate men and 1,763 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Brown University.
This school had 1,487 Asian students and 632 Afro-American students in 2024. 886 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 588 as multirace. The school also had 10 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 20 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 157 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Brown University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $68,612 in 2024. Brown University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $2,700 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $1,300 for books and supplies during their time at Brown University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
At Brown University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,444. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $9,940, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $9,940.
| Tuition | $ 68,612 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,444 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,300 |
| Total Expense | $ 87,356 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Brown University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 879 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $68,074 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 3,333 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Brown University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 3,363. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $7,827,764, and state $70,410. The students of Brown University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $200,663,158, and external in the amount of $8,392,161.
$20,411
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $591,914. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $8,774,360 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Brown University was 6:1. That means that there were 6 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,099 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 639 men and 460 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Brown University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about social life at Brown University.
Its campus is 154 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 400 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 11% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 9 for female students. Those interested in music can join the Brown University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Brown University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Brown University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Brown University.
All in all, campus life at Brown University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Brown University.
Career Counselling
At Brown University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Brown University is located in Providence, RI.
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Brown University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 68,612 USD per academic year for Brown University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Brown University is 5%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Brown University is 98.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.