Wesleyan University vs. Brown

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Brown University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Brown University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Brown #11
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Brown -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Brown Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Brown
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Brown $61,392
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Brown 52%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Brown 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Brown A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Brown Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Brown 34/35
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Brown 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Brown $155
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Brown 48%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Brown 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Brown Very High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Brown No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Brown 43%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Brown 13%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Brown 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Brown 11%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Brown 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Brown 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Brown 6%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Brown 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Brown 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Brown 3%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Brown 79%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Brown Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Brown Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Brown Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Brown No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Brown No

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brown University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Brown University 6:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Brown ($23,025 vs. $26,256).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 12.2% lower than at Wesleyan University ($17,444 vs. $19,872).
  • Brown University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wesleyan University (about $1,070 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $70,342.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Brown than at Wesleyan University (about $1,070 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $70,342.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Wesleyan University (52% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($65,995 vs. $61,392).

Wesleyan University vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 70 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Brown University 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Brown University 34/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Brown - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Brown (5.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Wesleyan University vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University's (92%).
  • Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $29,600 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($155 vs. $180).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.