Brown Demographics & Diversity

  • 10/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Providence, RI
  • 5.0 2 reviews
#11 Best Colleges in America

Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 73%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Brown are predominantly White with a smaller Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 57% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Brown University students
Race Percent of Students
White
43%
Black
7%
Hispanic
11%
Asian
13%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
6%
International
12%
Race Unknown
7%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 10% more female students than male students enrolled at Brown University with a gender ratio of 52% women to 48% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Brown has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Brown University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
48%
Women
52%
Enrollment by gender for Brown University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
5,703
Women
6,253

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very High

Geographic Diversity Index: 97%

Brown draws 3 percent of students from Rhode Island, 79 percent from other states, and 17 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Rhode Island, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Brown University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
3%
Out of State
79%
Foreign
17%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$79,027 per year

15% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

11,956
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 1%
Part-time undergraduates 0.3%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Brown University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217156.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026