Brown University, founded in 1764 in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the eight Ivy League universities and one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Brown is best known for its Open Curriculum, which removes most general-education requirements and lets undergraduates design their own course of study across the arts, sciences and humanities. That freedom is the university's defining feature: students choose concentrations, combine disciplines, and are graded on a system that allows courses to be taken satisfactory/no-credit. For self-directed students, Brown offers an unusual degree of academic independence; for students who prefer a fixed structure, it can feel less guided than other Ivy League programmes.
Programmes offered
Brown offers undergraduate degrees through the College, with around 80 concentrations spanning the humanities, social sciences, life and physical sciences, engineering and public health. Popular fields include computer science, economics, biology, political science, applied mathematics and international relations. Graduate and professional education is offered through the Graduate School, the Warren Alpert Medical School, the School of Public Health, the School of Engineering and the School of Professional Studies. Research strengths include neuroscience, climate and environmental science, data science and the humanities, and undergraduates can join faculty research from an early stage.
Fees and funding
Brown's published 2026-27 cost of attendance is reported at roughly US$91,000 to US$102,000 per year depending on the source table, with tuition reported around US$67,580 to US$74,568 — confirm the exact figure on Brown's official cost of attendance page before applying, because published tables differ by year and by what they include. Brown meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, and its aid is grant-based, with no loans in the standard package. Families with lower incomes receive particularly generous support, and the average aid package is reported above US$62,000 per year. International applicants should still budget for travel, health insurance and personal expenses on top of the published total.
Admissions and deadlines
Brown accepts the Common Application and offers Early Decision, with a deadline typically in early November, and Regular Decision, typically in early January — confirm the exact 2027-28 dates on Brown's admissions website. Applicants submit school reports, transcripts, a counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations, plus the Common App personal statement and Brown's supplemental essays. Brown is test-optional for the current cycle, but strong SAT or ACT scores may still be submitted. English proficiency for international students is normally shown through IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo, with the university's minimum scores published on its admissions pages.
Campus life and careers
Brown's campus in Providence, a compact and walkable city between Boston and New York, combines historic buildings with modern science and arts facilities. Student life is famously informal and politically engaged, with hundreds of student organisations, a strong performing-arts scene and easy access to internships in Boston, New York and Washington. Brown graduates go on to top graduate schools, finance, technology, medicine, public service and the arts, and the university's alumni network is active in all of those fields. The Open Curriculum's flexibility also means graduates often arrive in the job market with unusual combinations of skills, which employers value when the combination is explained well.
Frequently asked questions
Does Brown have general education requirements? No. The Open Curriculum removes most distribution requirements, so students design their own programme with faculty advice.
Is Brown need-blind for international students? Brown meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students; confirm the current need-blind policy for international applicants on the official financial aid page.
When should I apply? Early Decision is typically early November and Regular Decision early January; confirm the exact dates for your entry year.
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Sources and verification: Brown Office of Financial Aid 2026-27 cost tables (reported totals vary by source — exact figure to be confirmed on the official page); Brown admissions deadlines and test policy to be confirmed on brown.edu for the 2027-28 cycle.