Brown University is a highly selective Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1764, Brown is known for its student-centered academic environment, research opportunities, and Open Curriculum. For international students, Brown’s financial aid policies are especially important: international applicants are eligible to apply for University financial aid, and Brown is need-blind for international first-year applicants beginning with the Class of 2029.
Before applying, you should understand Brown’s acceptance rate so you can make informed decisions and gauge how competitive admission is. Continue reading as we walk you through Brown University’s acceptance rate, admission process, and tuition fees.
Brown University Acceptance Rate
Admission to Brown is very competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 5.35% for the undergraduate Class of 2030. According to Brown University, 47,937 students applied, and 2,564 were admitted, including 1,674 Regular Decision admits and 890 Early Decision admits.
One thing to remember is that Brown’s acceptance rate varies annually depending on the number of applicants and available spaces in the incoming class. Brown does not admit students by academic interest and has no quotas among concentrations. However, special application options can be especially selective. For example, Brown’s Class of 2030 includes 64 students admitted to the Program in Liberal Medical Education and 25 students admitted to the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program.
The 81% medical school and law school admission rates reported on Brown’s admissions page refer to outcomes for Brown students who later apply to those professional schools. They are not undergraduate acceptance rates and should not be confused with admission rates for Brown’s first-year applicants.
These statistics show that getting into Brown is highly competitive. To stand out, applicants should prepare a thoughtful, well-rounded application that reflects strong academic preparation, intellectual curiosity, and meaningful extracurricular engagement.
Preparing for Brown University
Now that you are familiar with Brown’s acceptance rate, you should also consider other important factors such as admission requirements, tuition fees, and financial aid.
Admission Requirements
It is important to understand Brown University’s application requirements before applying. This will help you decide whether Brown should be one of your priority schools and what parts of your application you should strengthen.
First-year applicants must complete the Common Application and Brown’s supplemental essays and submit the $80 non-refundable application fee or a fee waiver. Applicants must also request school forms, including an official high school transcript, School Report, Midyear School Report and transcript, counselor recommendation, and two teacher evaluations or recommendations. Brown requires standardized test scores, either the SAT or ACT, for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024–2025 admission cycle. However, Brown states that there are no minimum standardized test scores required for admission.
Tuition Fees
Another important factor to review before applying is Brown University’s tuition and cost of attendance. For the 2026–2027 academic year, Brown lists full-time undergraduate tuition at $74,568. Standard direct charges also include mandatory undergraduate fees, the standard room rate, and standard board, bringing the listed total to $97,016 before the one-time academic record fee for first-time students. Students should always check Brown’s current Student Financial Services page because tuition and fees can change each academic year.
Scholarships
Because Brown is an expensive university, financial aid is an important consideration for many students. Brown does not offer undergraduate financial aid based on academic achievement, athletic ability, or other forms of merit. Instead, Brown’s undergraduate financial aid is need-based. Brown states that it meets 100% of each student’s demonstrated financial need, and University financial aid packages do not include loans. International students are eligible to apply for University financial aid, and admitted international students who apply for aid on time can have their full demonstrated need met.
Brown is a highly competitive university with a recent undergraduate acceptance rate of 5.35%. It offers strong academic opportunities and a flexible learning environment, but admission is highly selective. Before applying, review Brown’s current admissions, tuition, and financial aid pages so you understand the latest requirements, costs, and available support.
We hope that this article on the acceptance rate at Brown University was helpful! To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students.
