Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
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 educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. Given an acceptance rate of only 5%, admissions is consider very competative. The freshman retention rate at Brown University is 98.8% 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.
To find out more about what Brown University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
7,910
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,700
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. How difficult is it to get admitted to Brown University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this institution 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 student. 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. This eminent institution with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
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 freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97 and 3 between 24-29.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to Brown University is January 3. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Brown University was 98.8%, 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. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 96%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right fit for you is not simple. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Brown University in 2025 was 11,956.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 94. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,910, 917 of which were foreign students. 145 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,394 male and 5,645 female full-time students in 2025. There were 1,633 full-time graduate male and 1,763 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 1,653 Asian students and 591 Afro-American students in 2025. 876 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 574 as multirace. The school also had 8 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 15 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 213 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Brown University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Brown University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $71,700 in 2025. 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 came to a total of $2,850 in 2025.
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. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,300.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, room and board cost at Brown University amounted to $18,514 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $10,410, according to the data from 2025. 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
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Brown University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 829 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $70,881.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 3,330 students who got 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 amounted to 3,366. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $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 aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the 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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $9,789,286 USD.
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Brown University was 6:1. That means that there were 6 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,079 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 621 men and 458 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. Check out some details about students' life at Brown University.
It has a campus size of 154 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 400 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 11 and female students 9. Those interested in music can join the Brown University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students looking to explore media and communication, Brown University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Brown University offers a number of services needed for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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 a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Brown University is located in Providence, RI.
-
Brown University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 71,700 USD per academic year for Brown University.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Brown University is 5%.
-
According to the latest information, 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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.
