Brown University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 08/2026)

Brown University is a private Ivy League university in Providence, Rhode Island. If you’re considering applying, you can learn about Brown University’s average cost of attendance, admissions requirements, popular majors, and more here to help you decide whether it’s the right college for you.

Total Cost of Attendance

Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is known for being a leading research university. Brown University undergraduate tuition for the 2025-26 school year was $71,700, which is significantly higher than the average cost of tuition and fees for private four-year universities, at $38,421 per year.

Costs for 2025-26

Financial Aid

At Brown, 49% of undergraduate students received some kind of need-based financial aid to help pay for Brown tuition. Brown has been “need-blind” for domestic students for over 20 years, which means an applicant’s financial background isn’t taken into consideration during the application process. Anyone, regardless of income and financial situation, can apply. The university is currently making strides to offer the same need-blind process for international students.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs such as tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than those of private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

While just 10% of Brown’s undergraduate students take out federal student loans, even fewer (5%) take out private student loans. The average student with private loans has $73,669 in loan debt upon graduation.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Given that the total cost of attendance at Brown is $97,284 for the 2025-26 school year, it would cost $389,136 over four years. The average cost for private school tuition plus room and board in the U.S. is $58,628 a year, or $234,512 for four years, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Here’s some Rhode Island Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2025-26

Brown undergraduate students paid $74,650 a year in tuition and fees in 2025-26, plus an additional $22,634 on other expenses, including housing.

The average tuition for private four-year schools is $39,408, and room and board is $15,903.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2026-27

These are the estimated costs for the 2026-27 year for a Master’s degree with standard enrollment. There are graduate loans and scholarships available to help cover graduate school tuition and fees ($76,156).

Cost per Credit Hour

While most students opt to attend Brown University full-time, others attend part-time. In this case, tuition is based on the number of courses the student takes, and the tuition cost per credit hour is $2,144.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2026-27

First-year students at Brown are required to live on campus, and 74% of other undergraduates choose to continue to do so. First-year undergrads have roommates in residence halls that house 50-60 students. Returning students may live in private single rooms, suites, or apartments, based on a lottery system.

Graduate students interested in living off campus can find housing through Brown Real Estate’s website (explore auxiliary housing options here ). Housing typically includes utilities such as heat, hot water, gas, and electricity, and leases are for 12 months. Types of housing vary, but prices on the website range from $1,090 to $1,405 per person per month.

Brown University Acceptance Rate

Applicants for the Class of 2030

Admission Requirements

The Brown acceptance rate is low because the school has high standards for its students. Here are the requirements for applicants:

•  Transcript

•  School report

•  Midyear school report and transcript

•  Counselor recommendation

•  Two teacher evaluations/recommendations

•  Bachelor of Science and PLME recommendations (if applicable)

•  Final school report and transcript

•  Admission test scores (SAT/ACT)

The deadline for Early Decision is November 1, and the Regular Decision deadline is January 5. You can apply here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Brown University has requirements for standardized test scores for first-year applicants.

Here are the 25th and 75th percentiles of test scores for first-year Brown students who enrolled in the 2024-25 academic year:

Popular Majors at Brown University

Brown University offers more than 80 undergraduate programs and almost 2,000 courses. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Computer Science

Brown offers fields of study in both general computer science and computer science with an emphasis in economics. Students learn about artificial intelligence, databases, distributed systems, networks, operating systems, programming languages, and robotics and security.

Degrees completed in 2025: 479

2. Economics

Students focusing on economics learn how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate resources to meet goals. Economics majors may go on to work in business, finance, or government organizations.

Degrees completed in 2025: 331

3. International and Public Affairs

Students that student international and public affairs explore global issues, public policy, international relations, and the social, political, and economic factors that shape communities around the world.

Degrees completed in 2025: 249

4. Public Health

Public health students examine the factors that affect health and well-being, including disease prevention, health policy, environmental health, and health disparities.

Degrees completed in 2025: 222

5. Medicine

Medicine students learn about the science and practice of healthcare, exploring topics such as human health, disease, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Degrees completed in 2025: 147

6. Biology

While studying biology, students learn about cell and molecular biology, structure and function, and organismal biology.

Degrees completed in 2025: 128

7. Physics

Physics students explore the fundamental principles governing matter and energy, with coursework covering areas such as mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, and thermodynamics.

Degrees completed in 2025: 102

8. English

English students dive deep into English literature, including poetry, fiction, drama, film, creative nonfiction, digital media, and theory.

Degrees completed in 2025: 99

Learn more about everything you can major in at Brown by checking out this resource .

Graduation Rate

Brown has an exceedingly high graduation rate. For example, the percentage of first-year students in 2019 who graduated within 6 years is 96%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The median salary for Brown graduates is $94,678. In contrast, the median salary for graduates of four-year schools is $60,377.