Providence, RI · Private University
Is Brown University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$93,487
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$68,230
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,230
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$272,920
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.37x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
96.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$11,428
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$26,572
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Brown University graduates earn $48,487 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Brown University ranked by graduate earnings
127 graduates
69 graduates
54 graduates
84 graduates
45 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Brown University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Brown University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $218,525) and the lowest (Communication and Media Studies: $23,738) is $194,787/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $218,525 | 3.2x |
| Applied Mathematics | $125,979 | 1.9x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $111,654 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $94,824 | 1.4x |
| Engineering, General | $87,937 | 1.3x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $82,229 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $74,287 | 1.1x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $74,180 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $72,438 | 1.1x |
| History | $62,308 | 0.9x |
| Education, General | $61,660 | 0.9x |
| Public Health | $61,595 | 0.9x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,312 | 0.9x |
| Human Biology | $59,566 | 0.9x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $58,161 | 0.8x |
| Area Studies | $48,838 | 0.7x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs(1yr data) | $48,731 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,388 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General | $43,674 | 0.6x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $43,637 | 0.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $39,493 | 0.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $30,741 | 0.5x |
| Communication and Media StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $23,738 | 0.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
| Dartmouth College | 1.48x | $97,434 | Average ROI |
| Tufts University | 1.23x | $83,214 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Brown University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $93,487 10 years after starting — $48,487 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Brown University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.