At $26,572/yr net price, Brown University graduates earn $93,487/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $59,487/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,572 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $106,288 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $93,487/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$59,487/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,428 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,273/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,757/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,526/yr |
| $110,001+ | $45,823/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $153,718 | $11,500 |
| Applied Mathematics. | Bachelor | $88,506 | $10,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $75,921 | $15,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Bachelor | $73,769 | $18,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $63,302 | $13,000 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $61,294 | $146,880 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master | $61,020 | $47,500 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Master | $60,771 | |
| Public Health. | Master | $59,937 | $49,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $58,673 | $20,500 |
The Risk Factor
95.9% of students at Brown University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Brown gives you a strong financial return with unusually low risk. You leave with median debt of $11,428, which is less than most graduates owe at public universities, and you pay it back on median earnings near $93,000. A 98.66% retention rate and 95.9% graduation rate mean you almost certainly finish, so you rarely carry debt without a degree to show for it.
The payoff depends heavily on major. Computer Science graduates earn over $150,000 and carry the same modest debt as everyone else, making it the clear financial winner here. Applied Mathematics and Engineering follow well behind at $88,506 and $75,921. Economics, one of Brown's most popular tracks, lands at $63,302, so a common Brown path pays noticeably less than the CS route. If you graduate into a humanities or social science field not listed here, expect earnings closer to the school median or lower, and don't count on the CS numbers.
The main risk is price at the top income tier. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay roughly $45,823 a year, near the full sticker price and about six times what a family in the $48-75k range pays. At that cost, a lower-earning major stretches your break-even timeline considerably.
Brown is a good fit if your family earns under $75,000, where net price drops to $7,757 or below and the low-debt outcome becomes hard to beat. It also fits you if you're set on Computer Science or engineering at any income. If your family is over $110,000 and you're headed toward a lower-paying field, run the full-price math before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brown University worth the cost compared to other Ivy League schools?
Brown graduates earn $93,487 ten years after graduation, which is solid but lower than most Ivy peers. The net price of $26,572 is reasonable for an elite school, and the low median debt of $11,428 reduces financial risk.
What are the highest paying majors at Brown University?
Computer Science leads with $153,718 average earnings, followed by Applied Mathematics at $88,506. Economics graduates earn $63,302, which is relatively modest for an Ivy League economics program.
How much debt do Brown University students typically graduate with?
Brown students graduate with a median debt of just $11,428, one of the lowest amounts among elite universities. This low debt burden significantly improves the school's return on investment despite the high sticker price.
Does Brown University provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Brown's average net price of $26,572 suggests strong financial aid for most families. Combined with the low graduate debt levels, the school appears accessible to middle-class students despite its elite status.