Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Online | brown.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Brown University occupies a historic campus on College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, overlooking downtown Providence and Narragansett Bay. The university, founded in 1764 as the seventh-oldest college in the United States, features colonial-era buildings alongside modern academic facilities across its 143-acre main campus. Known for its distinctive Open Curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study without traditional core requirements, Brown maintains highly selective admission standards and is a member of the Ivy League. The university offers strong programs in applied mathematics, computer science, international relations, and biomedical engineering, while also housing the Warren Alpert Medical School. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, with housing options ranging from traditional residence halls to program houses focused on specific languages and cultures.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Brown is rated within the top 3% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Brown University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#11 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#11 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island
#23 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1500/1570 |
| ACT | 34/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.94 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $0 |
| Other Fees | $2,574 |
| Room and Board | $16,598 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,820 |
| Total One Year Cost | $87,648 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 28% |
| Biology | 9% |
| English and Literature | 6% |
| General Studies | 6% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Brown are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217156 IPEDS survey data for Brown University.
Current students may use the Brown University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025