Brown University's published cost of attendance is $87,648, but need-based aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately −$420, while middle-income families pay around $5,858, and higher-income families pay approximately $44,937.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $87,648 |
| Tuition and Fees | $71,412 |
| Room and Board | $17,444 |
| Books and Supplies | $0 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$62,464 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $25,184 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | +$420 (stipend) |
| $30–48k | $2,031 |
| $48–75k | $5,858 |
| $75–110k | $16,219 |
| $110k+ | $44,937 |
Brown University's published cost of attendance is $87,648, but need-based aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately −$420, while middle-income families pay around $5,858, and higher-income families pay approximately $44,937. Azimuth ranks Brown University #652 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Brown University's aid structure is need-based, with the university committing to meet demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the net price illusion between published cost and actual net price is especially pronounced at institutions with large endowments and robust aid programs — Brown being a clear example. The gap between sticker price and what low-income families actually pay reflects the depth of institutional grant funding available to qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $11,428, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $48,245; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $94,678, median federal debt of $11,428 projects to a monthly payment of about $129 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Brown University earn median earnings of $94,678 four years after enrollment, placing Brown University in the 93.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $8,296 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Brown University in the 25.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Brown University #79 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The degree mix at Brown University is anchored in Social Sciences, which accounts for 20% of graduates, followed by Engineering at 5% and Arts at 4%. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a central driver of the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #13 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment , with 250 graduates earning median earnings of $214,479. The Economics program graduates 215 students with median earnings of $124,508, and Azimuth ranks the program #19 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment. Applied Mathematics and Biology, General round out the highest-earning fields, with Azimuth ranking them #2 and #231 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, respectively, and graduates earning median earnings of $157,822 and $60,508.
