Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Brown Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 15
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,184 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Brown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $14,361 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 34% more than Brown University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Brown University. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $93,487.
Pick Brown University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $25,184 vs $39,545.
Pick Brown University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 96% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $14,361 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $57,444 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $93,487 at Brown University. That is a 34% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 34% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 33% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brown University to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Brown University saves about $14,361 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $32,070 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brown University's enrollment of 7,226 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Brown University's $25,184.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Brown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Brown University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $93,487 at Brown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 63%.
Should you choose Brown University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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