Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Brown Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 17
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs Brown University's $25,184, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $143,372 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 53% more than Brown University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $5,073 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #3
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Massachusetts Technology in Computer Science & IT (35%). 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 Institute of Technology over Brown University. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $93,487.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Brown University. Net price $20,111 vs $25,184.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Brown University. THE World Rank #3 vs #55.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Brown University. 3.4% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Brown University takes 5%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,560.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $20,111, about $5,073 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $14,768.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $20,292 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $93,487 at Brown University. That is a 53% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.12x.
So what: An earnings gap of 53% 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.
Moving people up
Massachusetts Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.4%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sits higher, at #3 versus #55.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology leans toward Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,184 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Engineering-focused students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brown University's enrollment of 7,226 far exceeds Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 4,535.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $14,768, against $11,428 at Brown University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Massachusetts Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 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 Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
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 Technology leads with Computer Science (35%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates in Engineering, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 5% at Brown University.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $93,487 at Brown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Brown University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.4% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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