Brown University

Providence, RI 7,226 Undergrads 96.4% Grad Rate

School Website|Financial Calculator

Total Cost

$87,648

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$25,184

After Aid

Median Earnings

$94,678

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$25,184

Peer Midpoint: $20,080.5

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$94,678

Peer Midpoint: $60,428

Graduation Rate96.4%

Peer Midpoint: 58.9%

Average Starting Age19.5

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients14.4%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time99.4%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS85.1%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

5.4%

SAT Avg

1,546

SAT Reading

25th: 74074575th: 780

SAT Math

25th: 77077075th: 800

ACT Composite

25th: 343475th: 35

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$802k

+$335k

+$318k

Median Cost$25k/yr

+$712k

+$245k

+$227k

Full Cost$88k/yr

+$487k

+$20k

+$3k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$25k/yr

251%

Full Cost$88k/yr

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return92%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-38%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Bachelor's Degrees

Anthropology

BachCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$35,060

Natl Median: $46,676

Lifetime Value Added

-$237k

Applied Mathematics

BachCIP: 2703

Median Debt

$10,000

Earnings (4yr)

$157,822

Natl Median: $91,532

Lifetime Value Added

+$704k

Archeology

BachCIP: 4503

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,748

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Architecture

BachCIP: 0402

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $66,914

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

BachCIP: 0501

Median Debt

$12,000

Earnings (4yr)

$59,808

Natl Median: $56,625

Lifetime Value Added

-$41k

Behavioral Sciences

BachCIP: 3017

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,673

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

BachCIP: 2602

Median Debt

$12,787

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,466

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biology, General

BachCIP: 2601

Median Debt

$13,000

Earnings (4yr)

$60,508

Natl Median: $57,214

Lifetime Value Added

-$35k

Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

BachCIP: 2611

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $86,713

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

BachCIP: 1405

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$91,674

Natl Median: $93,451

Lifetime Value Added

+$204k

Chemistry

BachCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,120

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Classical and Ancient Studies

BachCIP: 3022

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,477

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

BachCIP: 1612

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$47,260

Natl Median: $49,429

Lifetime Value Added

-$128k

Cognitive Science

BachCIP: 3025

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $81,496

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Communication and Media Studies

BachCIP: 0901

Median Debt

$10,000

Earnings (2yr)

$36,141

Natl Median: $56,359

Lifetime Value Added

-$227k

Computer and Information Sciences, General

BachCIP: 1101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,374

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

BachCIP: 1107

Median Debt

$11,500

Earnings (4yr)

$214,479

Natl Median: $107,009

Lifetime Value Added

+$1126k

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

BachCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,775

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Economics

BachCIP: 4506

Median Debt

$13,000

Earnings (4yr)

$124,508

Natl Median: $82,686

Lifetime Value Added

+$454k

Education, General

BachCIP: 1301

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$79,577

Natl Median: $49,808

Lifetime Value Added

+$100k

Engineering Physics

BachCIP: 1412

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $89,154

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

BachCIP: 1401

Median Debt

$15,000

Earnings (4yr)

$108,550

Natl Median: $89,359

Lifetime Value Added

+$333k

English Language and Literature, General

BachCIP: 2301

Median Debt

$12,974

Earnings (4yr)

$73,497

Natl Median: $48,590

Lifetime Value Added

+$66k

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

BachCIP: 5207

Median Debt

$18,000

Earnings (4yr)

$125,955

Natl Median: $61,027

Lifetime Value Added

+$465k

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

BachCIP: 0502

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$41,565

Natl Median: $51,710

Lifetime Value Added

-$179k

Fine and Studio Arts

BachCIP: 5007

Median Debt

$17,300

Earnings (4yr)

$60,985

Natl Median: $41,367

Lifetime Value Added

-$31k

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

BachCIP: 4006

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$29,685

Natl Median: $60,190

Lifetime Value Added

-$286k

History

BachCIP: 5401

Median Debt

$13,491

Earnings (4yr)

$85,520

Natl Median: $50,680

Lifetime Value Added

+$157k

Human Biology

BachCIP: 3027

Median Debt

$16,500

Earnings (4yr)

$69,802

Natl Median: $64,732

Lifetime Value Added

+$37k

International Relations and National Security Studies

BachCIP: 4509

Median Debt

$12,000

Earnings (4yr)

$86,780

Natl Median: $66,596

Lifetime Value Added

+$167k

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

BachCIP: 2401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,072

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

BachCIP: 1601

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$31,848

Natl Median: $49,984

Lifetime Value Added

-$266k

Mathematics

BachCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $69,562

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

BachCIP: 3013

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,941

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General

BachCIP: 3000

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$28,019

Natl Median: $50,532

Lifetime Value Added

-$301k

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

BachCIP: 3099

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,693

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Music

BachCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,892

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

BachCIP: 0301

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$55,145

Natl Median: $55,012

Lifetime Value Added

-$88k

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

BachCIP: 2615

Median Debt

$9,250

Earnings (5yr)

$73,645

Natl Median: $62,451

Lifetime Value Added

+$56k

Philosophy

BachCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,455

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

BachCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $76,786

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

BachCIP: 4510

Median Debt

$14,481

Earnings (4yr)

$85,388

Natl Median: $63,293

Lifetime Value Added

+$156k

Psychology, General

BachCIP: 4201

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$63,062

Natl Median: $50,706

Lifetime Value Added

-$25k

Public Health

BachCIP: 5122

Median Debt

$11,760

Earnings (4yr)

$74,496

Natl Median: $58,808

Lifetime Value Added

+$73k

Public Policy Analysis

BachCIP: 4405

Median Debt

$10,000

Earnings (4yr)

$94,962

Natl Median: $73,721

Lifetime Value Added

+$229k

Religion/Religious Studies

BachCIP: 3802

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,390

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Research and Experimental Psychology

BachCIP: 4227

Median Debt

$15,110

Earnings (4yr)

$63,415

Natl Median: $55,695

Lifetime Value Added

-$12k

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

BachCIP: 2313

Median Debt

$10,500

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,471

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

BachCIP: 1609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,000

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Science, Technology and Society

BachCIP: 3015

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $67,452

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Social Sciences, Other

BachCIP: 4599

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,812

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sociology

BachCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,657

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Statistics

BachCIP: 2705

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,425

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Urban Studies/Affairs

BachCIP: 4512

Median Debt

$14,000

Earnings (4yr)

$73,905

Natl Median: $62,532

Lifetime Value Added

+$69k

Master's Degrees

Anthropology

MastCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $61,276

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Applied Mathematics

MastCIP: 2703

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $116,060

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

MastCIP: 0501

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $68,936

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Behavioral Sciences

MastCIP: 3017

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,111

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education

MastCIP: 1302

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$60,771

Natl Median: $71,241

Lifetime Value Added

-$129k

Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

MastCIP: 2611

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $110,121

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

MastCIP: 1405

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $106,375

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biotechnology

MastCIP: 2612

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$151,944

Natl Median: $107,682

Lifetime Value Added

+$645k

Business Administration, Management and Operations

MastCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $103,485

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Chemistry

MastCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $82,937

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Cognitive Science

MastCIP: 3025

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $71,800

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

MastCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$208,655

Natl Median: $145,571

Lifetime Value Added

+$1131k

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

MastCIP: 1110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $121,855

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

MastCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$37,270

Natl Median: $49,978

Lifetime Value Added

-$378k

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

MastCIP: 2613

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $82,527

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Educational Administration and Supervision

MastCIP: 1304

Median Debt

$20,500

Earnings (4yr)

$95,551

Natl Median: $71,685

Lifetime Value Added

+$155k

Engineering, General

MastCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $120,215

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

English Language and Literature, General

MastCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$62,329

Natl Median: $48,772

Lifetime Value Added

-$149k

Fine and Studio Arts

MastCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $49,079

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Historic Preservation and Conservation

MastCIP: 3012

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $64,496

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

MastCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,360

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mathematics and Computer Science

MastCIP: 3008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $138,309

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies

MastCIP: 5114

Median Debt

$68,010

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $198,417

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General

MastCIP: 3000

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $67,520

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Philosophy

MastCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $60,272

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

MastCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $96,478

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences

MastCIP: 2609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $67,681

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

MastCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $78,850

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Health

MastCIP: 5122

Median Debt

$49,500

Earnings (4yr)

$87,924

Natl Median: $82,751

Lifetime Value Added

+$88k

Public Policy Analysis

MastCIP: 4405

Median Debt

$47,500

Earnings (4yr)

$87,139

Natl Median: $93,020

Lifetime Value Added

+$81k

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

MastCIP: 2313

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,035

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Science, Technology and Society

MastCIP: 3015

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $90,640

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sociology

MastCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $63,330

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

MastCIP: 1312

Median Debt

Earnings (5yr)

$60,526

Natl Median: $59,916

Lifetime Value Added

-$165k

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

MastCIP: 1313

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$68,338

Natl Median: $63,707

Lifetime Value Added

-$84k

Doctoral Degrees

Anthropology

DocCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $77,473

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Applied Mathematics

DocCIP: 2703

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $123,729

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Archeology

DocCIP: 4503

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,119

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

DocCIP: 0501

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $69,249

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

DocCIP: 2611

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $153,586

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

DocCIP: 1405

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $131,848

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

DocCIP: 2604

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $99,578

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Chemistry

DocCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $115,386

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Classical and Ancient Studies

DocCIP: 3022

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $66,154

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Cognitive Science

DocCIP: 3025

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $118,884

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

DocCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $178,476

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

DocCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $64,704

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

DocCIP: 2613

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $97,173

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Economics

DocCIP: 4506

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $135,560

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

DocCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $133,630

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

English Language and Literature, General

DocCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,831

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

DocCIP: 0502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $81,271

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fine and Studio Arts

DocCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $68,718

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

DocCIP: 4006

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,039

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

DocCIP: 5100

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $101,669

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

DocCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $70,550

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mathematics

DocCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $89,656

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Molecular Medicine

DocCIP: 2614

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $114,346

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Music

DocCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $59,592

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

DocCIP: 2615

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $96,176

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Philosophy

DocCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $70,449

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

DocCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $130,153

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences

DocCIP: 2609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $93,640

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

DocCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $90,908

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Health

DocCIP: 5122

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $108,962

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Religion/Religious Studies

DocCIP: 3802

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $67,164

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

DocCIP: 1609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $69,860

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sociology

DocCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $88,618

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Professional Degrees

Medicine

ProfCIP: 5112

Median Debt

$146,880

Earnings (4yr)

$106,465

Natl Median: $112,460

Lifetime Value Added

+$52k

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.