Brown University

Brown University ranked 16th in the 2027 US News rankings, having shifted slightly from 14th in 2018. Gaining admission is exceptionally selective, marked by an overall acceptance rate of 5.4% in 2025. Within its peer group of similarly ranked private research universities, Brown's admit rate is higher than 30% of peer schools, underscoring the tough competition applicants face. At the same time, the university demonstrates a strong pull among those who are accepted. Brown posted an admitted-student yield rate of 65.2% in 2025, showing that a clear majority of admitted candidates choose to matriculate. This yield is higher than 73% of peer schools in the same comparison group. Such high yield indicates that Brown remains a primary destination for accepted students, leaving very few uncommitted spots. For prospective candidates, navigating this selective process requires presenting an exceptional overall application, as Brown denies the vast majority of applicants while successfully enrolling most of those it admits.

Applicants to Brown University need exceptional academic credentials and top standardized test performance to be competitive. In 2025, the university's enrolled class had an institutional median SAT score of 1540, reflecting an extraordinarily high testing benchmark. For international candidates looking at real-world outcomes, applicant cases collected by Forward Pathway—which represent unofficial data rather than institutional reporting—show a similarly high standard. In these unofficial cases, admitted international applicants achieved a median unweighted GPA of 3.96 alongside a median SAT score of 1485. By contrast, denied international applicants in the same pool presented a lower median SAT score of 1420. These figures illustrate that successful applicants generally demonstrate near-perfect grades throughout high school coupled with standardized testing near the top of national distributions. While Brown evaluates applications holistically, international candidates presenting scores below these thresholds face steep challenges in gaining an offer.

Undergraduate study at Brown University shows marked concentration in quantitative fields, where the top three bachelor's concentrations accounted for 34% of all bachelor's degrees awarded in 2025. Computer Science was the largest undergraduate program with 243 graduates, followed by Econometrics and Quantitative Economics with 222 graduates. These popular programs correspond with high academic evaluations and strong labor market outcomes. In the 2027 US News rankings, the undergraduate economics program ranked 12th, while development economics placed 5th. Earnings data from 2023 reveal that graduates in these analytical disciplines achieve substantial compensation shortly after completing their degrees. One year after graduation, median earnings reached $141,816 for computer science alumni and $108,964 for economics graduates. Beyond these leading undergraduate programs, the university maintains top graduate rankings across fields such as English, earth sciences, and history, providing specialized strength across both scientific and humanities disciplines.

Brown University educates a diverse student body spread across its undergraduate and graduate divisions. In the 2025 incoming undergraduate freshman class, Asian students accounted for 470 students, or 27.3% of the entering cohort, representing one of the largest demographic groups alongside white students. International undergraduates also maintain a visible presence on campus, followed by Latino and Black classmates. The international presence expands considerably in graduate education. Among graduate students in 2025, international scholars constituted the largest demographic segment at 1,401 students, or 34.6% of total graduate enrollment, with Asian graduate students also making up a significant portion. Gender representation is balanced, with women comprising slightly over half of both the undergraduate and graduate student bodies. For prospective applicants, these figures portray an academic community where Asian and international students form substantial shares of both undergraduate classes and advanced research programs.

Brown University's student body reflects a clear separation between traditional undergraduate study and early-career graduate research. In 2025, the undergraduate population of 7,910 students was heavily concentrated in standard college ages: students aged 20 to 21 comprised 43.6% of undergraduates, and those aged 18 to 19 made up 40.7%. In contrast, the 4,046 graduate students primarily represented individuals in their twenties, with 38.4% aged 22 to 24 and 37.6% aged 25 to 29. This distribution indicates an undergraduate campus environment focused on traditional residential life, paired with a mature graduate community.

International enrollment at Brown University shows a steady upward trajectory, though representation varies considerably between degree levels. At the undergraduate level, international students comprised 13.5% of the student body in 2025, edging up from earlier years. The graduate division has seen even faster growth, with international representation expanding to 34.6% of graduate students in 2025. Among graduating cohorts, international students accounted for 43% of master's degree recipients in 2025, while representing smaller proportions of bachelor's and doctoral graduates. Internationally educated students heavily concentrate in technical and analytical fields. At the master's level, international students earned 86.9% of degrees in General Engineering and clear majorities in Computer Science and Physics. Among undergraduates, international graduates concentrate primarily in computer science, econometrics and quantitative economics, and applied mathematics. For prospective international applicants, these patterns confirm that while undergraduate admission remains tightly contested across all disciplines, graduate programs in STEM areas provide a particularly global academic community.

Families exploring educational institutions in the area can evaluate several distinct regional options. Located 14.9 kilometers from campus, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a liberal arts college ranked 81st in the 2027 US News rankings. Another nearby undergraduate institution is Stonehill College, a liberal arts college situated 23.1 kilometers away and ranked 85th. For students interested in a public research option, the University of Rhode Island is located 24.4 kilometers away and ranked 148th among national universities. These three institutions provide accessible alternatives within a short drive of Providence.

Campus safety data at Brown University indicate that non-violent behavioral infractions make up the bulk of campus incidents. In 2025, Forward Pathway's weighted crime rate per 1,000 students stood at 8.2, down from 9.1 in 2016. Across the three-year period from 2023 to 2025, student conduct disciplinary actions accounted for the largest totals, led by 359 disciplinary referrals for alcohol violations and 74 referrals for drug offenses. During the same 2023 to 2025 period, reported criminal offenses were less frequent but included 66 motor vehicle thefts, alongside smaller totals of aggravated assaults and stalking reports. Because the weighted crime metric applies lower weight to disciplinary referrals than to serious felonies, the university's calculated rate reflects both disciplinary enforcement and reported property or personal offenses. Families assessing the campus environment can observe that alcohol enforcement represents the primary driver of reported incident volume.