U of R vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brown University is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Brown University 6:1.

U of R vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or Brown? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brown University than U of R ($26,256 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 11.9% lower than at University of Rochester ($17,444 vs. $19,792).
• Brown University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $4,332 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Brown than at University of Rochester (about $4,332 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Brown University (72% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 34.9% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($61,392 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or Brown? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Brown and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 70 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Brown students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Brown - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 65.2% at Brown.

U of R vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and Brown? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($155 vs. $253).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.