Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize city

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island. 7,226 undergraduates. Admits 5% of applicants.

Rhode Island colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
96%Graduation rate41 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$26,976Average net price per year36% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$99,974Median earnings 10 years after starting70% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$14,567Median debt at graduation33% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($14,567) equals 15% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($99,974). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$39
$30,000–$48,000$228
$48,001–$75,000$10,079
$75,001–$110,000$24,827
Over $110,000$48,459

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $74,650.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate96%54%
Return for second year99%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$80,094$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$99,974$58,912
Median debt at graduation$14,567$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

140 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Science287$141,816$234,845$15,000
Applied Mathematics217$135,449$163,649$8,125
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations5$93,627$147,661—
Economics230$108,964$129,347$12,000
Engineering, General80$87,175$121,142$15,000
Public Policy Analysis1$60,280$99,914—
Human Biology55$29,431$96,210$12,500
History64$60,823$91,370—
International Relations and National Security Studies178$67,921$90,268$12,000
Political Science and Government63$62,332$90,029$17,300
Research and Experimental Psychology84$49,920$87,208$9,988
Fine and Studio Arts74—$80,760$17,420
Public Health0—$79,289—
Biology, General111$42,441$78,854$12,000
Education, General29$43,467$77,459—
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services41—$76,722—
Neurobiology and Neurosciences77—$71,063$13,565
Natural Resources Conservation and Research64$63,016——
English Language and Literature, General90$56,050$61,756$9,902
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies41$42,487$60,798—
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft13—$60,630—
Area Studies72$47,927$59,822$12,375
Music30$42,515——
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology39$35,637——
Architecture21———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies13———
Communication and Media Studies56———
Computer and Information Sciences, General40———
Biomedical/Medical Engineering34———
Industrial Engineering2———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics12———
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics18———
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology12———
Mathematics33———
Statistics5———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General18———
Medieval and Renaissance Studies1———
Science, Technology and Society14———
Behavioral Sciences37———
Cognitive Science18———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other2———
Philosophy28———
Religion/Religious Studies13———
Astronomy and Astrophysics2———
Chemistry19———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences20———
Physics40———
Social Sciences, General69———
Anthropology23———
Archeology7———
Sociology39———
Urban Studies/Affairs26———
Social Sciences, Other16———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

5%Admission rate
1,546Average SAT of admitted students
34–35ACT middle 50%
6:1Students per faculty member
17%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Rhode Island

University of Rhode IslandKingston · net price $22,469 · grad rate 72%Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence · net price $29,952 · grad rate 49%Salve Regina UniversityNewport · net price $36,528 · grad rate 73%Bryant UniversitySmithfield · net price $39,186 · grad rate 81%Roger Williams UniversityBristol · net price $37,645 · grad rate 67%College UnboundProvidence · net price $20,804 · grad rate 33%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Brown University cost per year?
The average net price at Brown University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $26,976 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Brown University graduates earn?
Former Brown University students earn a median of $99,974 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Brown University?
96% of Brown University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Brown University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Brown University is $14,567. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.