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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.
Brown University is a private university located in Providence, RI and set in an urban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. Admissions is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of merely 5%. The freshman retention rate at Brown University is 98.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 96%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 3. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Brown University.
Quick Facts
7,910
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,700
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
96%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Here are the most vital information you need to know about admission at Brown University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,638 in 2025. Brown University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Brown University offers a unique 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 61% and ACT scores 24%. 97% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 2% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97 and 3 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 3. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Brown University was 98.8%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 96%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 11,956 students.
That year, the school had 94% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,910, 917 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 145.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,394 male and 5,645 female full-time students in 2025. 1,633 full-time graduate men and 1,763 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 1,653, and the number of African American students was 591. 876 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 574 identified with more than one race. The school also had 8 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 15 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 213 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Brown University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Brown University estimated tuition price.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $71,700 in 2025. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,850.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial factor. Most students have to spend about $1,300 for books and supplies during their time at Brown University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Brown University was $18,514 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $10,410 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,410.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,514 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,300 |
| Total Expense | $ 91,514 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Brown University.
The most recent records show that 829 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $70,881.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
3,330 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. 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 amounted to 3,366. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $10,272,959, and state $148,440. The students of Brown University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $206,500,338, and external in the amount of $8,603,389.
$20,109
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 2 students overall (including freshmen) at Brown University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 1 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $621,577. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $9,789,286 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, 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 1,079 faculty members. This number included 621 men and 458 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about campus life at Brown University.
Its campus spans 154 acres.
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.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 400 open-membership organizations at Brown University. 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 who like music can join the Brown University band or chorus. If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. 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 pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has 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 a great asset 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 71,700 USD per academic year for Brown University.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Brown University is 5%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Brown University is 98.8%.
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.