Brown University
Brown University is a private Ivy League research university. It is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
The university is home to the oldest applied mathematics program in the country and oldest engineering program in the Ivy League. In 1969, it adopted its Open Curriculum after student lobbying, which eliminated mandatory general education distribution requirements.
In 1971, Brown’s coordinate women’s institution, Pembroke College, was fully merged into the university.
Comprising various distinguished schools such as the College, the Graduate School, Alpert Medical School, the School of Engineering, the School of Public Health, and the School of Professional Studies, Brown University also oversees its international programs through the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.
Additionally, the university enjoys academic affiliations with esteemed institutions such as the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Rhode Island School of Design, offering both undergraduate and graduate dual degree programs.
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Alumni Nickname: Brunonians
- Mascot: Bruno The Bear
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 3
Application Portal
Common Application
Standardized Tests
SAT or ACT
Recommendation Letters
Counselor Recommendation: 1 Letter
Teacher Recommendation: 2 Letters
Bachelor of Science or PLME degree - at least 1 letter from a math or science teacher
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 105
IELTS: minimum score 8.0
Duolingo: minimum score 130
Interview
Not required
Optional Video
University Specific Requests
None
Application Fee
$75
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Computer Science 11.4%
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Econometrics and quantitative economics 9.8%
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Applied Mathematics 7.7%
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Biology/Biological Sciences 5.1%
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International Relations and Affairs 4.6%
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History 3.8%
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Engineering 3.6%
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Public Health 3.4%
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English Language and Literature 2.7%
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Political Science and Government 2.7%
Popular
Majors
5.4%
Acceptance Rate
48,904 applications to the undergraduate Class of 2028
46% of the Class of 2028 received need-based scholarship or grant aid
$33,354 average family responsibility for aided members of the Class of 2028
Total Students
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African American: 9%
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Asian: 17%
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Hispanic: 10%
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International (Non-Citizen): 15%
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Multiracial: 7%
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Native American: 1%
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Pacific Islander: 0%
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Unknown: 4%
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White: 37%
Campus
Brown University is the largest institutional landowner in Providence, with properties spanning College Hill and the Jewelry District.
The university’s campus, developed alongside the surrounding eighteenth- and nineteenth-century neighborhoods, is deeply integrated into the city’s urban landscape.
The main campus covers 143 acres and includes 235 buildings in the East Side’s College Hill area.
The central campus, occupying a 15-acre block bordered by Waterman, Prospect, George, and Thayer Streets, forms the historic core of Brown. Constructed primarily between 1770 and 1926, this area is centered around three greens: the Front or Quiet Green, the Middle or College Green, and the Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle (formerly known as Lincoln Field).
The perimeter of this section is marked by a brick and wrought-iron fence with decorative gates and arches. The architecture here features Georgian and Richardsonian Romanesque styles.
Cost of Attendance
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Tuition $68,612
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Fees
(includes $100 Academic record fee for first time students) $2,800 -
Housing $9,940
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Food $7,504
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Total $88,856
At Brown, 14% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
The university proudly boasts an impressive list of notable affiliations, including 11 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni, faculty, and researchers.
Additionally, Brown is associated with 1 Fields Medalist, 7 National Humanities Medalists, and 11 National Medal of Science laureates.
The distinguished list of Brown alumni includes 27 Pulitzer Prize winners, 21 billionaires, 1 U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 U.S. Secretaries of State, over 100 members of the United States Congress, 58 Rhodes Scholars, 22 MacArthur Genius Fellows, and 38 Olympic medalists, further solidifying its esteemed reputation in academia, public service, and beyond.
Some notable alumni include John F. Kennedy Jr, Ted Turner, Andrew Yang, Janet Yellen, Emma Watson, John Krasinski, Bobby Jindal, and Dara Khosrowshahi.
At most universities, students are required to follow a set core curriculum. At Brown, however, students design their own personalized course of study, granting them the freedom to explore their interests and flexibility to pursue what they truly love.
The campus culture is rooted in freedom, creativity, and inclusivity. The Open Curriculum empowers students to design their own academic journeys, encouraging exploration and interdisciplinary thinking. Collaboration thrives over competition, and the community is known for its diversity, social awareness, and welcoming environment. Students are supported in pursuing their passions while engaging in vibrant campus activities and fostering innovation.
Although Brown does not offer minors, students seeking a similar academic experience can explore Certificate Programs. Current options include Data Fluency, Engaged Scholarship, Entrepreneurship, Intercultural Competence, and Migration Studies.
Approximately 20% of Brown undergraduates choose to double concentrate. This option may appeal to students with strong intellectual interests in two distinct areas of study, provided they can meet the requirements for both concentrations while still exploring a variety of courses in other fields.
Housing is provided for all four years at Brown. First-year students are assigned to residential “units,” each consisting of 40-60 students and 3-4 peer counselors.