Brown University combines highly selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings outcomes. Despite serving fewer low-income students, the institution delivers median earnings at the 98th percentile nationally while maintaining remarkably low debt levels, creating favorable conditions for long-term financial success.
With top-tier performance, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational costs
Around the national average, reflecting high net prices balanced against low debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to highly selective peers
With well above average performance, combining limited access with strong outcomes for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisBrown University delivers outstanding long-term earnings outcomes despite charging above-average net prices. Graduates earn a median of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 98th percentile nationally and exceeding typical four-year college outcomes by substantial margins.
Earnings span from $63,520 at the 25th percentile to $164,436 at the 75th percentile, reflecting both the diversity of career paths and the exceptional upside potential available to graduates. Low-income graduates earn $96,800, ranking among the top 5% nationally and demonstrating strong outcomes even for students from modest economic backgrounds.
Students seeking exceptional long-term earnings and access to elite networks, particularly those interested in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Economics. Well-suited for high-achieving students who can navigate highly competitive admission (5.2% acceptance) and afford substantial costs, with the strongest outcomes for those planning graduate study or careers in high-earning fields.
Brown University admits approximately 5.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 19 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Brown among the most selective universities in the United States, with admission rates comparable to other Ivy League institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the dramatic difference between Brown's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among highly selective private research universities, Brown's acceptance rate places it in the most competitive tier.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Brown University's published cost of attendance reaches $84,986 per year, including $68,230 in tuition, $16,598 for room and board, and $0 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $26,572 after financial aid, representing savings of $58,414 through institutional aid programs.
This substantial aid reduces costs by nearly 69% from the sticker price, though the resulting net price remains above the peer median of $27,143 by $571. Brown's aid strategy concentrates support toward lower-income students while maintaining high costs for upper-income families.
The net price varies dramatically by family income, ranging from negative costs for the lowest-income students to $45,823 for families earning over $110,000 annually. This pricing structure reflects Brown's substantial endowment resources and commitment to need-based financial aid, though families should prepare for significant costs unless they qualify for substantial need-based assistance.
The gap between sticker price and average net price demonstrates the importance of applying for financial aid regardless of perceived eligibility.
Computer Science.
229 graduates
Applied Mathematics, General.
178 graduates
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other.
57 graduates
Applied Economics.
203 graduates
Applied Engineering.
65 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Trinity College Higher acceptance rate (28.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 67 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 34% | $90,779 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Brown University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/brown-university/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for graduate earnings
Brown University ranks #132 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 96.9th percentile—its strongest institutional pillar. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private research university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 5.2% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation earnings outcomes.
Brown enrolls 13.3% Pell-eligible students and 17.0% first-generation students, typical for highly selective private institutions. Graduates earn a median of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, placing Brown at the 98th percentile nationally for long-term earnings and among the top 5% of all institutions we track.
SAT scores rank at the 99.9th percentile with a midpoint of 1546, reflecting the exceptional academic credentials of enrolled students. This combination of highly selective admissions, strong academic preparation, and outstanding earnings outcomes places Brown within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering exceptional post-graduation results.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. The intense competition stems from Brown's strong academic reputation, distinctive open curriculum, and post-graduation outcomes that rank at the 98th percentile nationally for earnings.
Students should approach Brown as a reach school regardless of their qualifications and build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. The application process should be viewed as highly competitive, with admission decisions influenced by factors beyond academic metrics.
Brown University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth from early to mid-career. Median earnings rise from $79,131 six years after enrollment to $84,208 at eight years and $93,487 at ten years, representing 18.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 598 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across Brown's diverse academic programs. Graduates earn $30,421 more annually than the peer median of $63,066, highlighting Brown's substantial earnings advantage relative to similar institutions.
The gap between the 25th percentile ($63,520) and 75th percentile ($164,436) represents a 2.6:1 ratio, indicating meaningful variation in post-graduation outcomes based on field of study and career trajectory. Low-income graduates earn $96,800, demonstrating that students from modest economic backgrounds achieve exceptional outcomes at Brown.
Approximately 24.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting both strong preparation for advanced education and the career paths common among Brown alumni. These earnings place Brown among the top 5% of institutions nationally for median earnings outcomes.
Brown University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science dominates outcomes, ranking #4 nationally with 229 graduates earning median salaries of $218,525 and achieving a value score of 98.4.
Applied Mathematics ranks #3 nationally, graduating 178 students with median earnings of $125,979. Applied Economics ranks #30 nationally, producing 203 graduates with median earnings of $94,824.
Several programs achieve #1 rankings in Rhode Island, including International Relations and Affairs (#3 nationally, $82,229 earnings), American History (#14 nationally, $62,308 earnings), and American Government and Politics (#38 nationally, $72,438 earnings). Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations holds the #1 national ranking with graduates earning $111,654, though with smaller cohort sizes of 57 students.
These flagship programs demonstrate Brown's strength across STEM fields, economics, and liberal arts disciplines.
College Of The Holy Cross Higher acceptance rate (15.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 35 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 21% | $90,543 | Compare |
Bryant University Higher acceptance rate (60.4 percentage points higher) and located 10 miles away; similar graduate earnings | RI | 66% | $90,008 | Compare |
Bucknell University Higher acceptance rate (26.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 32% | $93,807 | Compare |
Lafayette College Higher acceptance rate (26.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 31% | $91,410 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Babson College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#131 ranked) | MA | 20% | $123,938 | #131 | Compare |
Dartmouth College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#136 ranked) | NH | 6% | $97,434 | #136 | Compare |
Johns Hopkins University Similar quality tier (#128 ranked) | MD | 8% | $87,555 | #128 | Compare |
Mcphs University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#148 ranked) | MA | 85% | $125,557 | #148 | Compare |
Lehigh University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#119 ranked) | PA | 29% | $105,584 | #119 | Compare |
