Founded in 1764, Brown University. is a Private college. Located in Rhode Island, which is a city setting in Rhode Island, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 6,926 full time undergraduate students, and 2,855 full time graduate students.
The Brown University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 7:1. There are 803 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Brown University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
9%
Application Deadline
1-Nov
Application Fee
75
SAT Range
1370-1570
ACT Range
31-34
Admissions at are considered Most Selective, with ,98% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 5 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 99% were in the top quarter, and 91% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Brown University.
1%
“We”re apathetic”
5%
“We know about current events and vote”
48%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
46%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
48%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
49%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
46%
“I feel extremely safe”
28%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
9%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
35%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
74%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
15%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
1%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
4%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
69%
“We only party on weekends”
25%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
70%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
7%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
5%
“We know about current events and vote”
48%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
46%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
1%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
48%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
49%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
46%
“I feel extremely safe”
28%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
9%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
35%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
74%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
15%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
1%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
158 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
108 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
159 Students rated campus food 3.3 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
158 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
158 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
158 Students rated school activities 4.5 stars. 62 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
160 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
158 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.
Brown University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Brown University?
36 Students rated Brown University
Ugonna
Prospective04/12/2025
I want to attend Brown University because it feels like a place where I can truly grow, learn, and make meaningful connections. I’m especially drawn to the way Brown encourages close relationships between students and professors—it’s inspiring to know I’d be learning in an environment where people really care about each other’s success.
I also love how Brown’s Open Curriculum lets students explore what interests them the most without being tied down by strict general requirements. This kind of freedom makes learning exciting and helps students discover their passions and grow into creative thinkers. I honestly wish more schools worked this way—it feels like it’s shaping minds for the future.
What stands out about Brown isn’t just its academic excellence, but the fact that it’s dedicated to raising leaders and innovators. Its graduates have achieved incredible things, and I want to be part of a community that shares that drive to make a difference in the world.
Choosing Brown isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about being part of a place that values curiosity, independence, and individuality. I’d be so proud to call myself a part of Brown’s amazing legacy.
Ariana
11/25/2023
I am very thankful for my Alma Mater because this institution has given me the platform where I was able to maximize my potential and be the best I can be both as a Student and as a contributing member of the society. I was an active student because they gave me the chance to be productive and developing especially in what I do best.
Elizabeth
07/10/2023
I cannot picture myself anywhere other than Brown. Campus culture is the most important factor for me and I think Brown students are some of the most genuine, caring, supportive people. There is always someone I feel comfortable calling at 2am when I am in distress!
Anthony
01/01/2023
Brown University can serve a purpose. If you know what you want to achieve and will get a degree in a field with a high return on investment it is worth it. However, do not go to find yourself or pursue a liberal arts degree that you can do at a less expensive university. Brown University has its positives, but overall it is a corporation. Brown does not care about or improve student life because it knows students will still apply and attend due to the name. The housing is just livable and residential life is horribly unuseful. On the other hand, Brown does provide a good infrastructure for pursuing professional development such as research. The highlight of Brown University is its approach to classes. The first two weeks of classes each semester is shopping period where you can attend, register for, and drop any class. Further, you can audit or take any class pass/fail (which you can take advantage of depending on your post-graduate goals). There are classes in a wide variety of fields; for example I have taken classes from The Structure of the Nervous System to The Science and Medicine of Ancient Egypt. Professors are generally knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive; although there will be exceptions like anything. If you know how to take advantage of it, you can pretty much find advising for whatever you need.
Food: 2/5
Housing: 2/5
Athletics: 3/5
Social Life: 3/5
Tolerance: 2/5
Classes: 4/5
Professors: 4/5
Advising: 4/5
Research: 4/5
Student Support: 3/5
Campus: 4/5
Sally
04/10/2022
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Carlos
05/23/2020
Brown University offers its students a rigorous and well rounded education, offering a diverse array of courses in the sciences and humanities. The Open Curriculum allows students to take greater initiative in their education and pursue new or interesting academic interests. Despite its reputation, the academic and social environment at Brown is far more collaborative than most top institutions.
Josiah
07/30/2019
Brown University is a perfectly-sized university situated ideally on College Hill. The community is uplifting and the people you meet here all have a fascinating story to share. The emphasis on meaningful learning (and not just grades) promotes a sense of purity in my intellectual and growth. The quads are amazingly beautiful, I often look around and think to myself: I am sooo grateful to be here!
Olivia
07/22/2019
I love nearly every aspect of this school. The students are academically focused but still maintain a high level of socialization and fun. The classes and professors are engaging, and there is something for everyone. The open curriculum makes it a wonderful place to try classes you've been interested in but don't necessarily need for your major. I feel safe and supported (physically, emotionally, and academically,) by all the programs available on campus like safewalk, CAPS, and the deans. The only thing I could wish to improve is attendance at sporting events. I love attending games, and think it would be more fun if more people went, got into school spirit, and tailgated.
Jae
06/14/2019
I love Brown University! I am an athlete from Florida, I have been blessed to go to such a great institution. It's far from home, but when I am away from Brown, my team and all of the people I have built relationships with I feel like I am away from home. I love how much I get to travel and see! Snow is cool, literally I am frozen for much of the school year but after years of sweaty upon stepping outside, freezing is a nice change! Brown offers amazing courses, great athletic opportunities, and so many other extra curricular activities, I doubt I will get a chance to see them all before I graduate. I am the first person in my family to attend an Ivy League school, I was very nervous and felt unprepared. After completing a year, all of my fears have faded. There is no doubt in my mind that my teachers, advisors, peers and coach will do the most in their power to help me succeed. While Brown is a very expensive school, I do not regret committing to the Brown Women's Varsity Track and Field Team on October 29, 2018! Thank you!
Emily
04/03/2019
I have really regretted coming to Brown and strongly considered switching to another school. The quality of the facilities is very low, especially dorms and food. But the worst surprise was the low quality of the classes and teaching. This wasn't universal, there were some exceptional teachers. But overall, there's a pattern of the classes being disproportionately difficult with poor support offered and the actual existing support offered being unhelpful. A lot of the professors seem to enjoy making their classes as difficult as they can, focusing on difficulty instead of the quality of what is being taught. I have seen this across domains, in psychology, computer science, economics, chemistry, and biology. You should only go to Brown if you are exceptionally good at pure academic skills and don't expect to need much support and help.
Rohan
12/17/2018
Brown University is my dream college. I want to get admission to Brown's PLME program. I have completed Brown Universities Summer Program and fell in love with the college. I am a straight A GATE Student in my Junior High School Year. I am ranked 2nd out of 1024 students with GPA 4.8. I have 7 APs and 8 college courses for Fall 2018. I am also a student Ambassador in Norco Community College. Once I went there for the Summer Class, I realised that all the students were equally or more smarter than me. I loved how the professor was involed in every student, He taught us to think outside the box. I liked the studios atmosphere.
Overall I would say Brown in best college. I hope I get admission to Brown's PLMe program.
Olivia
09/13/2018
If you are a rich spoiled girl or a boy, you will find plenty other here and will be very happy. If you want to be with serious people taking academics seriously and doing serious things with their lives, maybe go to MIT or something instead.
aliya
08/22/2018
Brown University is the perfect combination of many things! I am a Computer Science major, so I definitely appreciate our stellar Computer Science program. There are many different options for new and skeptical students, as well as experienced programmers. I also love Brown's commitment to politics, art, and literature ... everyone has many interests!
Joshua
08/09/2018
The vibe at this school is very different from it's Ivy League counterparts. Far more collaborative and greater academic freedom to pursue whatever interests you. Brown does not have many graduate schools, so faculty and staff are very much undergraduate focused. There are many professional opportunities as well, with many of the big banks, consulting firms (founder of McKinsey is a Brown grad), medical schools, etc. regularly coming to campus to recruit.
Jake
08/02/2018
Overall, I think Brown University is an amazing place. It's in a great location, right next to RISD in case you're interested in art classes, the people are friendly, and the open curriculum is amazing. I love it. I think that anyone who has Brown on their radar should apply just for the sake of applying if they are interested.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Brown University is 9%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Anticipate change. Be prepared to sacrifice anything in order to achieve what you came for, be ready to sacrifice that extra hour of sleep, that night out with friends, that phone call back home, because you will have to change in order to adapt to this extremely different environment that resembles nothing from the one you come from. Be ready to question yourself, but don?t think doubt mean you are wrong, it simply means it is time to change and redefine that aspect of your life. Be willing to put aside your pride, and acquire that humbleness that you will need when you go ask for help, because you will not know everything when you get there. Be open to many challenges that you know might seem tough, but that ultimately will provide you with a greater understanding of yourself. Do not think that this is all a clich?, do not minimize this opportunity, and do not think that you are only here to study, because you are here to start a new part of your life, and ultimately to build intellect, character, morals, values, and social skills; all of which are tools for you to function in society.
Brown students are typically dynamic, open-minded individuals who make up for there slight social awkwardness with a high level of intellect in addition to a tolerant outlook regarding a wide variety of issues.
The best, most defining quality of Brown is the freedom that the students have due to the open curriculum. It really sets Brown apart from all other schools, cause students can really design their own academic plan because they dont have to worry about so many requirements.
For the most part ive only taken pretty small classes at brown which has allowed me to get to know the majority of my professors. as far as my experience has gone, the professors for the most part seem very eager and open to interacting with the students and helping us when necessary. The modern culture and media department, especially, is very small and intimate and therefore everyone knows eachother and is really eager to help everyone have a great learning experience.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
the performance groups such as accapella and dance groups are the most dominant activity groups on campus. athletics make up a good amount of the student body, but in my opinion there doesnt seem to be a lot of school spirit surrounding the athletic teams. the social life/party scene is pretty laid back. nothing like a state school, but definitely lively and exciting enough to keep us entertained.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
I'm a little discouraged by the size of the school, I wish I went to a smaller school. As a result of the size, if you don't meet people in the beginning you're not likely to meet many people later on.
The large amount of racial/ethnic diversity, the international students, the open-minded campus culture, the open curriculum, the types of courses that are offered, the offbeat social scene.
Brown University is well known for its liberalistic tendencies. It has been said that it has the happiest college students known across the nation. This sense of elation does not happen by chance, your positive attitude will contribute to this amazing atmosphere, so your personality is important. Furthermore, in order to attend Brown, you need to be someone who can respect any part of the opinion spectrum, but who also intelligently defends their own opinion. People who love to live for, learn from, and be part of the community should attend Brown University.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known that academic exploration should really be limited to freshman year and that some definite direction is helpful when first enrolling, or at least by the end of one's sophomore year.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
Brown's prides in its open curriculam. Without any general requirements, undgraduates are allowed to explore their interests freely. With a huge array of majors and the ability to create your own major, literally anything is possible at Brown. And as Brown students, we take advatage of that allow our futures to be fashion themselves any way we choose.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A student who is not flexible in thinking or who is not adventurous would probably not enjoy Brown University. The open curriculum program differs greatly from distribution requirements that are the core of many colleges. You have to be willing to try new things and keep an open mind. If you are a person who likes to follow set standards and requirements this would probably not be for you, unless you are studying the sciences, engineering or pre-med.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
People often think of Brown students as hippie activists and stoners. While there are probably a larger proportion of these students here than others, Brown is super diverse and so it's easy to find students who are not interested in activism and drugs. Despite the varying kinds of people, I think that generally most Brown students are liberal, open-minded, and interested in new perspectives and opinions outside their own.
In the end, it came down to either Brown or a big well-known school in my state. I visited Brown and researched it and decided that it was a better fit for my personality and interests. I also wanted to experience living in a different part of the country, so the distance was a plus for me.
There's a large variety of dining options on campus. There are two main buffet-style cafeterias, the Ratty and the Vdub. For a meal credit, you get access to a lot of different foods, including fresh fruit and cereal and soup and salad bars and vegan/vegetarian options. The downside to these two is that the food isn't too great, but there's always something to be had. Besides these are the smaller eateries, like Jo's, the Gate, the Blue Room, and the Ivy Room. These tend to serve better, restaurant-quality food although they have less options since each has its own specialties. Besides the university eateries, there's always restaurants on Thayer Street, which is practically on-campus and very accessible. There are some cheap restaurants as well as more up-scale ones, depending on your tastes. Basically, there's a lot of options for food on campus, and if you get bored even with that you can always take a bus or walk down to Providence for more choices.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
57% of students attending Brown University receive some sort of financial aid.
13% were awarded federal grants.22%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
