Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Brown University is a private national university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Brown University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $78,943 10 years after enrolling, 2nd in Rhode Island, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Brown University bachelor students earn 28% more than the national average. Brown University is ranked 1st in Rhode Island.
Brown University’s median net annual cost of $29,544 and average years to graduate of 4.3 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Brown University sorted by number of graduates - Computer Science, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Engineering, Poli Sci/Government - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$29,544
Average years to graduate
4.3
Entrepreneurship
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.96
International Relations
Rank: #9
Economic score: 2.06
History
Rank: #53
Economic score: 3.47
Public Policy Analysis
Rank: #16
Economic score: 5.08
English Language & Lit
Rank: #189
Economic score: 6.81
Natural Resource Conservation
Rank: #134
Economic score: 8.28
Area Studies
Rank: #39
Economic score: 8.91
Research&Experimental Psych
Rank: #33
Economic score: 9.24
Public Health
Rank: #119
Economic score: 11.55
Human Biology.
Rank: #7
Economic score: 50.24
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Brown University - Public Health, Public Policy Analysis, Educ. Administration, Education (subject specific), Biomedical/Medical Engineering, Drama - are shown below.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.3 years. 96% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Brown University is 20% higher than the state average, and 28% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Brown University, Pell Grant recipients represent 14% of the measured graduating class, 21% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Brown University graduates within 4.3 years.
Brown University is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Brown University’s economic mobility score of 13.89 is calculated by adjusting the 0.09 economic score of lower-income students by the 14% pell grant recipients within the student body. Brown University’s EMS of 13.89 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Brown University pays $29,544 a year, $50,904 less than the $80,448 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $29,544
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Brown University, 46% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $29,544 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 10% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $11,328. This is 44% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,159
Pell grants
$5,059
State grants
$1,229
Institutional grants
$54,314
Brown University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 6% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 46,568 applicants, of which 2,568 were admitted and 1,705 enrolled. Brown University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
54%
59%
First time
92%
59%
In-state
3%
68%
1st generation
17%
35%
White
42%
52%
Black
7%
14%
Hispanic
11%
15%
Asian
19%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
21%
12%