Brown University

In 2022, Brown's tuition was $65,656 a year.

Tuition increased 4.75% in 2023–from $62,680 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Brown University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Brown University is around $62,234 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $26,272 per student, not including those with no debt.

Brown University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Brown University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Rhode Island as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save on the overall cost of college. Take the time to check your state's criteria for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Rhode Island colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Brown University?

Tuition at Brown University is the same for every student.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Brown University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Brown University:

•On-campus jobs •Brown University-specific loans •Brown University-specific scholarships

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Brown University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Brown University.

Room and Board Costs at Brown University

Room and board at Brown University is $16,598 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Brown University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Brown University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is often expensive, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Brown Universityis located in a city in Rhode Island, not far from Boston.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Brown University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Brown University.

How Much Does Brown University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Brown University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$65,656
Room and Board	$16,598
Other expenses	$2,820

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$88,948
Off-Campus	$69,530

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Brown University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 3,202 of the 7,349 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Brown University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $62,234 a year. Around 21% of Brown University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Brown University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,272 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$14,619
Brown University-Specific Loans	$5,437
Private Loans	$58,808

Most Common Loans for Brown University Students
Federal Loans	20%
Institutional Loans	1%
Private loans	1%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Brown University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Brown University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Brown University awarded 3,180 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $199.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $8.52 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Brown University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Brown University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Brown University was $62,234 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Brown University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$26,714
Off-Campus	$7,296

What will attending Brown University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Brown University's net cost calculator on their website.

Brown University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Brown University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Brown University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Brown University's endowment was valued at $4.7 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $34,086 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Brown University

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