Overview
Established in 1764, Brown University is a private school with an undergraduate population of 7,741 (fall 2023). Its 146-acre campus is located in a city, and it operates on a semester schedule. Brown is listed at #13 in National Universities in the 2025 Best Colleges. Tuition and fees are $71,312
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At-a-Glance
Setting: City
Tuition & Fees: $71,312
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,741
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Brown University Rankings
Here’s where Brown ranks in different categories:
#13 in National Universities (tie)
#12 in Best Value Schools
#43 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
#11 in Economics (tie)
#1 in Writing in the Disciplines
#21 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
#10 in Service Learning (tie)
#8 in First-Year Experiences
#4 in Senior Capstone
#3 in Best Colleges for Veterans
#3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
#18 in Most Innovative Schools
#129 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
Brown is #13 among 436 National Universities, rated on widely accepted measures of quality.
U.S. News Overall Score
Score (out of 100): 91
Outcomes (52%):
Average 6-year graduation rate (16%): 96%
6-year graduation rate (Pell Grant recipients) (5.5%): 93%
6-year graduation rate (non-Pell Grant recipients) (5.5%): 96%
Brown University Admissions
Brown is very selective with a 5% acceptance rate. Admitted students generally have:
SAT scores of 1500–1570
ACT scores of 34–35
(Note: 25% scored higher than these ranges, and 25% scored lower.)
Important Admissions Factors:
Extremely Important: GPA, high school class rank (if reported), letters of recommendation
Application Deadline: January 3
Application Fee: $75
Brown University Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees (2024-25): $71,312 (well above the national average of $47,890)
Total Cost (including housing, food, etc.): $89,489
Average Net Price (after aid): $25,520
Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022)
Family Income Average Cost
$0–$30,000 $4,741
$30,001–$48,000 $1,199
$48,001–$75,000 $8,394
$75,001–$110,000 $20,163
$110,001+ $46,032
Food & Housing: $17,444
Brown University Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Small Classes (fewer than 20 students): 66.9%
Freshman Retention Rate: 97%
Most Popular Majors (2023 Graduates)
Computer Science (14%)
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (11%)
Applied Mathematics, General (9%)
International Relations & Affairs (8%)
Biology/Biological Sciences, General (7%)
Brown University Student Life
Total Enrollment (Fall 2023): 11,516
Undergraduates: 7,741
Graduate Students: 3,775
Gender Distribution: 51.9% female, 48.1% male
Housing: 74% on campus, 26% off campus
Athletics: NCAA Division I
Pell Grant Recipients (2022-2023): 15%
eterans/Active Service Members: 0.7%
Campus Services & Safety
Brown offers:
Student Services: Tutoring, women’s center, health services, career placement
Security Measures: 24/7 patrols, late-night escorts, emergency phones, controlled dorm access
Alcohol Policy: Permitted for students of legal age
