At a Glance
Brown University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Providence, RI. Approximately 7,226 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 5% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Providence, RI
Campus Identity
Brown University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Providence, RI. Approximately 7,226 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 5% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Ski resorts are within 22 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@brownu
Follow on Instagram
@BrownUniversity
Follow on X (Twitter)
Campus Lifestyle
Brown University is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 3 miles from Edgewood Beach, RI and 22 miles from Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Waterpark.
Athletics
NCAA D1
The Ivy League
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
3 miles
Edgewood Beach, RI
Weather
Warm Climate
45°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Brown University
At Brown University, 11% of men are in a fraternity and 9% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
11%
Men in fraternities
9%
Women in sororities
Moderate Greek Life
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
Brown University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Waterpark, 22 miles away with 4 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 36 miles of campus.
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Beach Town
Students at Brown University are 3 miles from Edgewood Beach, RI, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.
Edgewood Beach, RI
Ocean access within 3.4 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Providence, RI
Providence has a cool climate, with winters averaging 30°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.
Station: RHODE ISLAND T.F. GREEN INTERNATIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Brown University in RI earns a composite safety score of 39/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $71,412 |
| Fees | $1,360 |
| Room & Board | $17,444 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $90,216 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
186 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Brown University located?
Brown University is located in Providence, RI. The main campus address is One Prospect Street, Providence, RI. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Brown University?
Brown University has an acceptance rate of 5%, making it extremely selective. Out of 48,904 applicants, 2,638 were admitted in the most recent year.
How many students attend Brown University?
Brown University enrolls 7,226 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for Brown University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Brown University scored between 34 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 35. About 24% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Brown University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Brown University charges $71,412/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,444/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $62,304/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,184/year — what students actually pay. Use Brown University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Brown University?
The undergraduate application fee at Brown University is $75. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Is Brown University a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. Brown University is an NCAA Division I school, part of the The Ivy League. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.
What percentage of students at Brown University are in Greek life?
At Brown University, 11% of men are in a fraternity and 9% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters exist and are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is Brown University the right fit for me?
Whether Brown University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (5% admit rate), avg net price ($25,184/year after aid), campus culture in Providence, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Brown University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Brown University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Providence, RI
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- The Ivy League
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 45°F avg
- App Fee
- $75
- On Campus Safety Score
- 39/100
- Nearest Airport
- Providence/Warwick, RI (PVD) · 7 mialso NCO (16 mi), NPT (21 mi)