Brown University
Providence, RI
A distinguishing characteristic of Brown University is that it is a university college: a major teaching and research university yet a medium-sized liberal arts college. Brown, founded in 1764, is a private, Ivy League, liberal arts university. There is no core curriculum, and students may design their own majors. A pass/fail grading option is available, and all faculty members teach undergraduates. Its 140-acre campus is located in Providence, 45 miles from Boston.
Website: www.brown.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Most difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 9% of 32,390 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Regular Admission Deadline
- January 2
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- Not reported
- SAT Math
- Not reported
- SAT EBRW
- Not reported
- ACT Composite
- 32 average
31-34 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $73,892
- Tuition and Fees
- $55,556
- Room and Board
- $14,670
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Freshman Award
- $50,237
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,620
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Not required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 793
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 35% of classes
10-19 students: 36% of classes
20-29 students: 12% of classes
30-39 students: 4% of classes
40-49 students: 3% of classes
50-99 students: 7% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes
Campus Life
- Providence Population
- 178,432
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Boston
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 76% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Brown Bear
- Sororities
- 9% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 11% of men participate
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native
15.9% Asian
7.4% Black/African-American
13.2% Hispanic/Latino
7.0% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
48.9% White
6.9% Unknown - International Students
- 10.7% from 108 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 98.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 83.6%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- Not reported
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Most Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT I or over 29 on the ACT; about 30% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 3 | 4 |
Science | 3 | 4 |
Foreign Language | 3 | 4 |
Social Studies | 1 | |
History | 2 | |
Academic Electives | 1 |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | January 1 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | Recommended | |
SAT Essay Component Policy | Essay component required | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Writing component required | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Used for admission ACT: Used for admission |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- One Prospect Street
- City, State, Zip
- Providence, RI 02912
- Phone
- (401) 863-2378
- Fax
- (401) 863-9300
- admission@brown.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- January 2
- Application Fee
- $75
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- March 31
- Accept Offer of Admission
- May 1
- Waiting List Used
- Yes
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Deadline
- November 1
- Early Decision Notification
- December 15
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted, supplemental forms required
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 2 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Common Application, Brown Supplemental Questions, Alumni Interview if convenient for the applicant required for freshmen
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 9% of 32,390 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 8% of 19,518 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 11% of 12,872 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 1,697 (56%) of 3,014 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 911 (57%) of 1,597 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 786 (55%) of 1,417 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- 22% of 3,030 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- Students Admitted From Wait List
- 82
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- Not reported
- 3.75 and Above
- Not reported
- 3.50 - 3.74
- Not reported
- 3.25 - 3.49
- Not reported
- 3.00 - 3.24
- Not reported
- 2.50 - 2.99
- Not reported
- 2.00 - 2.49
- Not reported
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- Not reported
- Score of 700 - 800
- Not reported
- Score of 600 - 700
- Not reported
- Score of 500 - 600
- Not reported
- Score of 400 - 500
- Not reported
- Score of 300 - 400
- Not reported
- Score of 200 - 300
- Not reported
- SAT EBRW
- Not reported
- Score of 700 - 800
- Not reported
- Score of 600 - 700
- Not reported
- Score of 500 - 600
- Not reported
- Score of 400 - 500
- Not reported
- Score of 300 - 400
- Not reported
- Score of 200 - 300
- Not reported
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 32 average
31-34 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 84%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 16%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 1%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 0%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 92%
Top quarter: 99%
Top half: 100% - National Merit Scholar
- Not reported
- Valedictorian
- Not reported
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $73,892
- Tuition and Fees
- $55,556
- Room and Board
- $14,670
- Books and Supplies
- $1,595
- Other Expenses
- $2,071
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- February 1
- Award Notification
- On or about April 1
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 003401 |
Free |
CSS/Financial Aid Profile | $25 for first college, $16 each additional |
Noncustodial (Divorced/Separated) Parent's Statement |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 924 (60.0%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 715 (78.6%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 715 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 715 (100.0%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Award
- $50,237
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 711 (93.3%) of aid recipients, average amount $49,256
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 596 (87.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,298
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
- Merit-Based Gift
- 3 (.2%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $10,000
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 3,283 (49.6%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 2,746 (83.6%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 2,746 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 2,746 (100.0%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Award
- $52,141
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 2,728 (93.4%) of aid recipients, average amount $50,240
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 2,411 (88.1%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,569
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
- Merit-Based Gift
- 7 (.1%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $10,000
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 35%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,620
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 4.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- 1.0%
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Other Loans
- College/university loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- Special characteristics (minority, religious affiliation, other scholarships)
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Veterans
- Number of Awards
- 10
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $2,600
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- African-American/Black Studies
- American/United States Studies/Civilization
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics, General
- Archeology
- Architectural History and Criticism, General
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biophysics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- East Asian Studies
- Economics, General
- Education, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Engineering, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film/Cinema/Video Studies
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- French Studies
- Geochemistry
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- Geophysics and Seismology
- German Studies
- Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
- History, General
- International Relations and Affairs
- Italian Studies
- Jewish/Judaic Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Molecular Biology
- Music, General
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neuroscience
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Psychology, General
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Russian Studies
- Sociology
- South Asian Studies
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Women's Studies
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Social sciences, Biological/life sciences, Computer and information sciences, Mathematics and statistics
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- None
- Special Programs
- Student-designed major, Double major, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- No online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Not required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Not required
- Math/Science
- Not required
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 793
- Part-Time Faculty
- 123
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 83%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 35% of classes
10-19 students: 36% of classes
20-29 students: 12% of classes
30-39 students: 4% of classes
40-49 students: 3% of classes
50-99 students: 7% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- Not reported
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Not accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Not available
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 4,567,029
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 320
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Public Affairs, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Public Policy, Master of Arts in Teaching
Master's Programs of Study
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Classics
- Cognitive Sciences
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Education--General
- Electrical Engineering
- Elementary Education
- Linguistics
- Materials Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Pathobiology
- Physics
- Psychology--General
- Sociology
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Medicine
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Allopathic Medicine
- Archaeology
- Asian Studies
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Cognitive Sciences
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Evolutionary Biology
- French
- Geosciences
- History of Science and Technology
- Linguistics
- Materials Sciences
- Mathematics
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neuroscience
- Pathobiology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology--General
- Religion
- Sociology
Location and Setting
- Providence Population
- 178,432
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Boston
- Campus Size
- 154 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 19.1 average low in January, 76.9 average high in September
- Rain
- 125 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 1 mile(s) from campus in Providence
- Nearest Train Station
- 1 mile(s) from campus in Providence
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Coed housing, cooperative housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 76% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Students required to live on campus through junior year
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 24%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division I
- Mascot
- Brown Bear
- School Colors
- Brown, white, and red
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Crew | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Equestrian Sports | x | |||
Fencing | x | x | ||
Field Hockey | x | |||
Football | x | |||
Golf | x | x | ||
Gymnastics | x | |||
Ice Hockey | x | x | ||
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Rowing | x | x | ||
Rugby | x | |||
Skiing (Downhill) | x | |||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Squash | x | x | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x | |||
Water Polo | x | x | ||
Wrestling | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Crew | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Equestrian Sports | x | |
Fencing | x | |
Field Hockey | x | |
Football | ||
Golf | x | |
Gymnastics | x | |
Ice Hockey | x | |
Lacrosse | x | |
Rowing | x | |
Rugby | x | |
Skiing (Downhill) | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Squash | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball | x | |
Water Polo | x | |
Wrestling |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Crew | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Equestrian Sports | ||
Fencing | x | |
Field Hockey | ||
Football | x | |
Golf | x | |
Gymnastics | ||
Ice Hockey | x | |
Lacrosse | x | |
Rowing | x | |
Rugby | ||
Skiing (Downhill) | ||
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Squash | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball | ||
Water Polo | x | |
Wrestling | x |
- Women's Club Sports
- cheerleading, sailing, ultimate Frisbee
- Men's Club Sports
- cheerleading, rugby, sailing, skiing (downhill), ultimate Frisbee, volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- badminton, basketball, bowling, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, softball, squash, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, marching band, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities
- Sororities
- 9% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 11% of men participate
- ROTC
- Army ROTC is offered off campus, Navy ROTC is offered off campus, Air Force ROTC offered off campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 6,926
- Women
- 3,693 (53.3%)
- Men
- 3,233 (46.7%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 6,565
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native
15.9% Asian
7.4% Black/African-American
13.2% Hispanic/Latino
7.0% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
48.9% White
6.9% Unknown - International Students.
- 10.7% from 108 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- 2,855
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 98.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 83.6%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 93.5%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 95.5%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- Not reported
- Average Starting Salary
- Not reported
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
- Disciplines Pursued
- Business 1%
Law 10%
Arts and Sciences 10%
Medicine 9%
Education 5%
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."