Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island · Private Nonprofit · 5.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 96/100 · Exceptional Value
Brown University is one of the Ivy League's clearest ROI stories, scoring 96 -- Exceptional Value. Median net price of $25,184 is the key: sticker tuition hits $71,412, but Brown's financial aid program means families in the lowest income bracket actually receive a net credit (the data shows -$420 per year, meaning aid exceeds costs). For those who qualify, Brown is effectively free. Median debt of only $11,428 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.176 are among the lowest in private higher education. The 95.7% completion rate is elite. Six-year median earnings of $64,800 reach $93,487 at ten years. Computer Science (236 graduates) and Applied Mathematics (173 graduates) are the top-volume technical programs, both producing A-grade ROI. Brown's open curriculum -- no distribution requirements -- means students self-direct their education, which produces outstanding outcomes for motivated self-starters and occasionally poor ones for students who drift.
The median graduate earns $93,487 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Brown University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $71,412/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $71,412/yr |
| Average net price | $25,184/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $100,736 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $93,487 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $64,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $11,428 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $121 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 95.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,226 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Brown University is $71,412/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $25,184/year, or roughly $100,736 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of -$420/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $44,937/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $11,428 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $121 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $93,487 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.18 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | -$420 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,031 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,858 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,219 |
| $110,001+ | $44,937 |
Low-income students may receive more in grants than the cost of attendance, resulting in a negative net price.
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 receive a net credit at Brown: the data shows -$420 per year, meaning financial aid exceeds total costs. In practical terms, Brown is free -- or nearly free -- for the lowest-income families. The $30-48k bracket pays just $2,031 per year, or about $8,000 for four years. For low-income students who can gain admission, Brown is one of the most affordable options available anywhere.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48-75k bracket pays $5,858 per year and the $75-110k range reaches $16,219. The jump from $48k to $75k ($7,361 more) and from $75k to $110k ($10,361 more) is steep, but absolute costs remain well below private school averages. Middle-income families at Brown pay roughly $23,000-$65,000 for four years depending on their income band -- extraordinary value at a school with these outcomes.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110k pay $44,937 per year -- close to $180,000 over four years for those at the very top. For high-income families paying full price, the ROI calculus is still strong: median debt is $11,428 (reflecting family contributions, not borrowing) and median 10-year earnings of $93,487 justify the investment, particularly in CS, Applied Mathematics, or Economics.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Brown University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $214,479 | A |
| Economics | $124,508 | A |
| Applied Mathematics | $157,822 | A |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $86,780 | B+ |
| Biology | $60,508 | B |
| Engineering, General | $108,550 | A |
| English Language and Literature | $73,497 | B+ |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $33,529 | B+ |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $63,415 | B |
| History | $85,520 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science at Brown produces 236 graduates annually into the top tier of the technology job market. Early-career median earnings of $151,065 -- among the highest in this entire dataset -- reach $214,479 by year four. The A-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.076 with $11,500 in median debt is extraordinary. Brown CS graduates enter the most competitive segments of the software industry: Silicon Valley, New York fintech, and the consulting firms that pay premium salaries. The combination of Brown's name recognition, strong networks, and Providence/Boston/NYC proximity creates a recruitment pipeline that translates consistently into top-quartile starting salaries. This is one of the strongest undergraduate CS programs in the country by earnings outcomes.
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics produces 173 graduates annually. Early-career pay of $99,193 and four-year median of $157,822 (A grade) with $10,000 in median debt and a ratio of 0.101 rival CS in terms of financial outcomes. Applied math at elite schools produces graduates who enter quantitative finance, actuarial science, machine learning research, and data science at the highest levels. The four-year earnings figure of $157,822 reflects how rapidly these graduates accelerate in career tracks that value mathematical sophistication. The low debt load -- $10,000 median -- reflects Brown's financial aid generosity rather than program cost.
Economics
Economics produces 179 graduates annually. Early-career pay of $72,064 rising to $124,508 by year four (A grade) with $13,000 in median debt (ratio 0.180) places this among the strongest economics programs nationally by ROI. Brown economics graduates enter consulting, investment banking, policy, and graduate economics programs at elite rates. The prestige premium on economics from an Ivy institution is measurable and sustained -- decade earnings remain in the top tier. The $124,508 four-year median reflects graduates who have moved from analyst to associate roles in consulting and finance.
Engineering, General
Engineering at Brown produces 80 graduates annually. Early-career pay of $86,416 and four-year median of $108,550 (A grade) with just $14,500 in median debt (ratio 0.168) reflect strong but not top-tier engineering outcomes. Brown's engineering program is smaller than peer Ivy programs and is more research-oriented than industry-focused. Graduates enter consulting, defense, and technology roles, with a significant share pursuing graduate study. The Brown brand amplifies individual outcomes -- employers at top firms actively recruit on campus.
Public Policy Analysis
Public Policy produces 15 graduates annually. Early-career pay of $58,161 reaching $94,962 by year four (A grade) with $10,345 in median debt (ratio 0.178) is unexpectedly strong for a policy program. Brown policy graduates enter government agencies, NGOs, and consulting firms with a credential that signals rigorous quantitative and policy analysis training. The four-year trajectory -- from $58,000 to $95,000 -- reflects rapid advancement in DC, New York, and international policy organizations where Brown's name opens doors. The A-grade ratio is partly a function of low debt, not just high earnings.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 87.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 90.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 89.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 770-800 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 740-780 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 34-35 |
| Enrollment | 7,226 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 13.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,839 |
Brown admits 5.4% of applicants -- among the most selective colleges in the United States. The SAT math middle 50% of 770-800 and ACT 34-35 reflect near-perfect academic preparation. Beyond scores, Brown selects for intellectual distinctiveness and independent thinking. The admissions process favors students who have pursued unusual combinations of interests or who have made meaningful contributions outside the classroom.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Brown's ROI of 96 ties Harvard (96) and falls just behind Vanderbilt (97), the top scorers in this dataset. Brown's edge over Harvard is structural: net price ($25,184 vs. $19,066) is slightly higher, but Brown's earnings premium at six years ($64,800 vs. Harvard's $91,300) reflects Harvard's outsized placement in finance and consulting. Vanderbilt's net price of $15,846 beats Brown's on cost while matching on outcomes. Duke (a listed peer) sits at comparable ROI with similar outcomes. Among Ivies and near-Ivies, Brown is a standout value -- particularly for low-income students who pay effectively nothing.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University (this school) | 96 | $25,184 | $93,487 |
| Vanderbilt University | 97 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| Harvard University | 96 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| Duke University | 96 | $29,612 | $97,800 |
| Bryant University | 84 | $41,219 | $90,008 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | 27 | $31,027 | $43,418 |
Who Thrives Here
Brown admits just 5.4% of applicants with SAT math 770-800, reading 740-780, and ACT 34-35. This is the top 1-2% of test-takers nationally. The 14% Pell rate is lower than Brown's aspiration but reflects the reality that high achievers with strong financial need are rare. Students who thrive at Brown are intellectually autonomous, comfortable designing their own academic path, and ready to engage with faculty who view undergraduates as research collaborators. The open curriculum rewards initiative; students who need structured guidance find it less supportive.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Brown University is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $100,736 and median graduate earnings of $93,487 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.1 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 95.7% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $11,428 is very manageable against $93,487 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.