Brown University combines an adventurous spirit of innovation with a steadfast commitment to rigorously high standards in education and research. This has given Brown University its reputation as the least ‘stuffy,’ most non-conformist of the Ivy League schools. Brown believes that students learn best when they are motivated by their own interests and values. It strives to give its students an opportunity to design an educational experience uniquely suited to their interests.
Undergraduates can choose from one hundred established degree concentrations (ranging from neurology to Egyptology) or design their own programs. Graduate students can choose from fifty different programs, ranging from multidisciplinary programs in the arts and humanities to highly-focused programs in engineering, biology, and medicine.
Brown’s Medical School is particularly noted for offering a unique Program in Liberal Medical Education. This is an eight-year-long program that combines undergraduate and professional study, and has the aim of producing physicians who combine a commitment to medical practice with a broad and humanistic understanding of the world. It is both highly regarded and highly competitive – the School usually receives over twenty applications for each class space available.
The key thing to understand about Brown University is that it asks its students to take center stage in the learning experience. Brown expects its students to be active participants in their own education, and to actively seek knowledge across disciplinary boundaries as well as to acquire the fundamental knowledge and analytical skills needed for success in their chosen fields. This makes for an exciting and profoundly satisfying educational experience, especially for students with confidence, intellectual curiosity, and focus. However, it’s also one that might be overwhelming for students who prefer more academic structure and direction. Brown University supports its students – faculty and staff are available to give students advice, guidance, and feedback on their educational choices – but its program inherently demands a great degree of initiative and self-direction.
The Brown educational experience truly is different from what many other U.S. institutions offer. Potential students (undergraduates especially) should give this aspect of Brown University careful thought as they consider whether to apply to Brown University.
Acceptance Rate
Academic Qualifications
SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
Application Deadlines
Early Decision
Early decision application deadline: November 1.
Applicants are notified December 15.
Regular Decision
Regular decision deadline: January 2.
Decisions are mailed the first week of April.
Transfers
Transfer application deadline: March 1.
Decisions are mailed May 15.
Admissions Criteria
Freshmen Admissions
Number of 2019 (Class of 2023) applicants: 38,674
Enrolled: 1,652
Yield: 62.3%
Acceptance rate: 6.6%
Early Decision Admissions
Number of 2020 (Class of 2024) applicants: 4,562
Enrolled: 800
ED acceptance rate: 17.5%
Waitlist Statistics
148 waitlisted applicants were offered admission last year.
Transfer Admissions
Number of applicants: 2,130
Admitted: 164
Acceptance rate: 7.7%
Academic Qualifications
Average GPA: N/A
Top 10% of High School: 96%
Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-760
SAT Math: 720-790
Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 32-35
ACT English: 34-36
ACT Math: 30-35
Standardized Test Requirements
SAT/ACT required
Writing portion not required
SAT Subject Tests required
Graduation Rates
Loan Defaults and Rhodes Scholars
Salary After Attending
R&D Expenditures
Campus Safety
Score Card Information
Graduation Rates
4 years: 84.7%
5 years: 92.6%
6 years: 95.0%
Loan default rate: 0.6%
Total Rhodes Scholars: 57
Salary after attending: $67,500
R&D Expenditures: $244.8 million
Campus Safety
Sex offenses: 47
Robberies: 0
Aggravated assaults: 1
Burglaries: 10
Car thefts: 3
Net Cost and Total Expected Cost of Attendance
Average Net Price By Income
Student Debt
Additional Information
Tuition, room and board (2019-2020): $73,936
Total estimated cost of attendance (2019-2020): $77,690
Net Cost
Average: $27,238
By income
$0 to $30,000: $6,250
$30,001 to $48,000: $5,589
$48,001 to $75,000: $14,452
$75,001 to $110,000: $21,447
$110,001 and more: $47,403
Graduates with student debt: 35%
Average student debt at graduation: $29,620
Student Residence
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Student to Faculty Ratio
Student Population
Additional Information
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6 to 1
Women: 54%
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Under 20: 70%
20 to 39: 16%
40 to 99: 10%
100+: 4%
Student Population
Total: 10,257
Undergraduate: 7,043
Student Residence
In State: 4%
Out of State: 82%
International: 14%
