Brown University
Brown University's campus is situated in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, surrounded by a federally recognized architectural district with many colonial-era buildings. Known for its Open Curriculum, Brown offers students an unusual degree of freedom in designing their course of study. The university is home to the oldest applied mathematics program in the country, as well as the oldest engineering program in the Ivy League. Brown maintains an academic affiliation with the nearby Rhode Island School of Design, offering dual degree programs.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Brown University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 13% of students receive Pell Grants; 9% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $18,844, roughly 72% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | Aid > cost | $0 |
| $30K – $48K | $2,273 | $9,092 |
| $48K – $75K | $7,757 | $31,028 |
| $75K – $110K | $19,526 | $78,104 |
| $110K+ | $45,823 | $183,292 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $68,230 | $272,920 |
Programs at Brown University
24 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
82
|
$151,065/yr | Very High | 9.0x |
| Economics Compare across schools → |
69
|
$72,064/yr | Very High | 3.1x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Compare across schools → |
69
|
$67,900/yr | High | 3.3x |
| Applied Mathematics Compare across schools → |
68
|
$99,193/yr | Very High | 4.0x |
|
Engineering
Engineering, General Compare across schools → |
60
|
$86,416/yr | High | 3.3x |
|
Political Science
Political Science and Government Compare across schools → |
53
|
$54,634/yr | Very High | 2.0x |
| Public Health Compare across schools → |
52
|
$75,909/yr | High | 1.6x |
|
International Relations
International Relations and National Security Studies Compare across schools → |
52
|
$46,284/yr | High | 2.8x |
| History Compare across schools → |
48
|
$42,296/yr | High | 2.0x |
|
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools → |
45
|
$74,180/yr | High | 1.7x |
| Public Policy Analysis Compare across schools → |
44
|
$58,161/yr | High | 1.1x |
|
Urban Studies
Urban Studies/Affairs Compare across schools → |
40
|
$48,731/yr | High | 0.8x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology Compare across schools → |
40
|
$39,493/yr | High | 0.4x |
| Human Biology Compare across schools → |
35
|
$42,162/yr | High | 1.8x |
|
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools → |
34
|
$43,637/yr | High | 0.6x |
|
English
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools → |
33
|
$50,437/yr | Very High | 1.0x |
|
Biology
Biology, General Compare across schools → |
30
|
$36,084/yr | High | 1.4x |
|
Education
Education, General Compare across schools → |
26
|
$33,866/yr | High | 1.9x |
|
Neuroscience
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools → |
26
|
$33,529/yr | High | 1.7x |
|
Fine Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools → |
26
|
$23,180/yr | Moderate | 1.7x |
| Area Studies Compare across schools → |
25
|
$39,165/yr | Very High | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools → |
25
|
$23,738/yr | High | -0.1x |
|
Rhetoric & Writing
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Compare across schools → |
22
|
$30,741/yr | Very High | 0.1x |
|
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Compare across schools → |
18
|
$17,527/yr | Very High | -0.4x |
More Colleges in Rhode Island
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in Rhode Island, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.