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Brown University

Brown University is a private campus in Providence proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Brown University — 12.7% of its 7,226 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income (partial)

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Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

not reported

family income
under $30k

$2,273

$30–48k

$7,757

$48–75k

$19,526

$75–110k

$45,823

over $110k

Only four of the five income brackets were filed for the same year at Brown University — this isn't a full distribution.

Average net price

$25,1842023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Brown University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $31,685 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $25,184.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$26,131
2009	$25,281
2010	$22,826
2011	$25,534
2012	$25,005
2013	$24,854
2014	$27,496
2015	$28,629
2016	$30,205
2017	$31,685
2018	$29,392
2019	$29,544
2020	$26,308
2021	$27,157
2022	$26,572
2023	$25,184

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$87,6482024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Brown University rose from $50,560 (2009) to $87,648 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$50,560
2010	$52,030
2011	$54,370
2012	$56,150
2013	$58,140
2014	$60,460
2015	$62,694
2016	$65,380
2017	$68,106
2018	$71,050
2019	$73,892
2020	$77,490
2021	$80,448
2022	$82,570
2023	$84,986
2024	$87,648

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2001	$26,568
2002	$27,856
2003	$29,200
2004	$30,672
2005	$32,974
2006	$34,620
2007	$36,342
2008	$37,718
2013	$45,612
2014	$47,434
2015	$49,346
2016	$51,366
2017	$53,419
2018	$55,466
2019	$58,404
2020	$60,696
2021	$62,304
2022	$65,146
2023	$68,230

IPEDS Published price 2001–02 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Brown University reports published tuition of $71,412 in this record. Brown University's $71,412 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Brown University reports 7,226 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

95.7% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Brown University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

95.7%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Brown University has held near 95.7% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	92.3%
1992 cohort	92.8%
1993 cohort	92.8%
1994 cohort	93.8%
1995 cohort	93.7%
1996 cohort	94.6%
1997 cohort	95.7%
1998 cohort	96.1%
1999 cohort	95.1%
2000 cohort	93.8%
2001 cohort	94.8%
2002 cohort	94.3%
2003 cohort	95.4%
2004 cohort	95.6%
2005 cohort	95.2%
2006 cohort	95.2%
2007 cohort	94.5%
2008 cohort	96.1%
2009 cohort	96%
2010 cohort	95.5%
2011 cohort	95.1%
2012 cohort	95%
2013 cohort	95.6%
2014 cohort	95.3%
2015 cohort	95.8%
2016 cohort	95%
2017 cohort	96%
2018 cohort	95.7%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

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Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$17,125	—
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$17,125	—
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$17,068	—
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$14,318	$5,890
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$13,631	$3,125
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$11,268	$5,049
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$8,897	$4,036
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$9,108	$3,491
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$10,567	$3,137
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$10,666	$3,482
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$11,000	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$11,135	$4,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$11,625	$5,450
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$12,500	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$13,500	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$15,500	$7,179
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$17,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$16,150	$7,450
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$16,000	$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$16,125	$11,940
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$15,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$15,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$13,000	$6,650
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$11,428	$6,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$79,131

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$84,208

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$93,487

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Brown University admitted 2,638 of 48,904 applicants in Fall 2024. The 5.4% rate describes that application pool.

5.4%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $68,230 tuition · 2023–24 7,226 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1510–15801600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Brown University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Brown University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 740–780 and Math was 770–800 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1510–1580 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	740	760	780
SAT Math	770	780	800
ACT Composite	34	35	35

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Brown University received 48,904 applications and admitted 2,638 (5.4%), with 1,719 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

5.4%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

The share admitted at Brown University declined from 16.2% to 5.4%; this does not establish why. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	16.2%
Fall 2002	16.9%
Fall 2003	15.9%
Fall 2004	16.4%
Fall 2005	15.1%
Fall 2006	13.8%
Fall 2007	14%
Fall 2008	13.7%
Fall 2009	11.2%
Fall 2010	9.3%
Fall 2011	8.9%
Fall 2012	9.6%
Fall 2013	9.2%
Fall 2014	8.7%
Fall 2015	9.5%
Fall 2016	9.3%
Fall 2017	8.5%
Fall 2018	7.7%
Fall 2019	7.1%
Fall 2020	7.7%
Fall 2021	5.5%
Fall 2022	5.1%
Fall 2023	5.2%
Fall 2024	5.4%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1510–1580Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1290	1490
Fall 2002	1290	1500
Fall 2003	1290	1500
Fall 2004	1310	1520
Fall 2005	1330	1540
Fall 2006	1350	1530
Fall 2007	1330	1530
Fall 2008	1320	1540
Fall 2009	1320	1530
Fall 2010	1330	1530
Fall 2011	1280	1500
Fall 2012	1320	1530
Fall 2013	1330	1540
Fall 2014	1330	1550
Fall 2015	1370	1560
Fall 2016	1370	1570
Fall 2017	1405	1570
Fall 2018	1420	1550
Fall 2019	1440	1570
Fall 2020	1440	1560
Fall 2021	1460	1570
Fall 2022	1490	1580
Fall 2023	1500	1570
Fall 2024	1510	1580

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

34–35Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	28	32
Fall 2002	26	32
Fall 2003	27	31
Fall 2004	27	32
Fall 2005	27	33
Fall 2006	27	33
Fall 2007	28	33
Fall 2008	28	33
Fall 2009	29	34
Fall 2010	29	33
Fall 2011	29	33
Fall 2012	29	34
Fall 2013	29	34
Fall 2014	30	34
Fall 2015	31	34
Fall 2016	31	34
Fall 2017	31	35
Fall 2018	32	35
Fall 2019	33	35
Fall 2020	33	35
Fall 2021	33	35
Fall 2022	34	36
Fall 2023	34	35
Fall 2024	34	35

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

7,226Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Brown University rose from 5,806 (Fall 2002) to 7,226 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	5,806
Fall 2003	5,730
Fall 2004	5,768
Fall 2005	5,927
Fall 2006	5,798
Fall 2007	5,813
Fall 2008	5,874
Fall 2009	6,013
Fall 2010	6,102
Fall 2011	6,118
Fall 2012	6,133
Fall 2013	6,182
Fall 2014	6,264
Fall 2015	6,320
Fall 2016	6,580
Fall 2017	6,670
Fall 2018	6,752
Fall 2019	6,834
Fall 2020	6,632
Fall 2021	7,125
Fall 2022	7,222
Fall 2023	7,273
Fall 2024	7,226

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

99%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Brown University has held near 99% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	97%
Fall 2003 cohort	97%
Fall 2004 cohort	97%
Fall 2005 cohort	97%
Fall 2006 cohort	98%
Fall 2007 cohort	97%
Fall 2008 cohort	97%
Fall 2009 cohort	97%
Fall 2010 cohort	98%
Fall 2011 cohort	97%
Fall 2012 cohort	97%
Fall 2013 cohort	98%
Fall 2014 cohort	98%
Fall 2015 cohort	98%
Fall 2016 cohort	98%
Fall 2017 cohort	98%
Fall 2018 cohort	98%
Fall 2019 cohort	92%
Fall 2020 cohort	98%
Fall 2021 cohort	99%
Fall 2022 cohort	99%
Fall 2023 cohort	99%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Brown University

Faculty pay at Brown University averages $214,068 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Brown University as a primarily residential campus of 7,226 undergraduates — and 98.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Brown University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1510–1580 — their midpoint is above the RI four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Brown University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Brown University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Brown University5.4%

Rhode Island median70.2%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Brown University$71,412

Rhode Island median$44,418

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Brown University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Brown University$93,487

Rhode Island median$70,005

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Brown University, Rhode Island and national reference values
Metric & basis	Brown University	Rhode Island median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	5.4%	70.2%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$71,412	$44,418	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$93,487	$70,005	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Brown University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Brown University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 18 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$214,479
Applied Mathematics	$157,822
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	$125,955
Economics	$124,508
Engineering, General	$108,550
Public Policy Analysis	$94,962
Biomedical/Medical Engineering	$91,674
International Relations and National Security Studies	$86,780
History	$85,520
Political Science and Government	$85,388
Public Health	$74,496
Urban Studies/Affairs	$73,905
English Language and Literature, General	$73,497
Human Biology	$69,802
Research and Experimental Psychology	$63,415
Fine and Studio Arts	$60,985
Biology, General	$60,508
Area Studies	$59,808

These 18 fields listed for Brown University measure earnings after completion. The $93,487 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 41 additional Brown University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Brown University report?

Brown University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1510–1580 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Brown University's acceptance rate?

5.4% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 2,638 admitted from 48,904 applicants.

How much does Brown University cost?

At Brown University, tuition is $71,412. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Brown University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $93,487. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Rhode Island

Bryant University — 65.5% admitted
Johnson & Wales University-Providence — 88.4% admitted
New England Institute of Technology — 66.7% admitted
Providence College — 50.9% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.