Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs The University of Texas at Austin
- Brown Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 6
- Texas Austin Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, The University of Texas at Austin offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 compared to The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857 for in-state paths. Students who choose The University of Texas at Austin benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $75,121 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than The University of Texas at Austin
- 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
Texas Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $19,857, roughly $5,327 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #29
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (23% of degrees); Texas Austin in Biology & Biomedical (10%). 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 Brown University over The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Brown University. Net price $19,857 vs $25,184.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Brown University. THE World Rank #29 vs #55.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Brown University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over The University of Texas at Austin. 96% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin takes 27%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,395.
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, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $19,857, about $5,327 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $20,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $21,308 before any change in aid. Choosing The University of Texas at Austin leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% 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 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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.
Moving people up
The University of Texas at Austin does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; 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%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, The University of Texas at Austin 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, The University of Texas at Austin sits higher, at #29 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 The University of Texas at Austin to keep costs and debt down; pick Brown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. The University of Texas at Austin saves about $5,327 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $18,366 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but The University of Texas at Austin posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. The University of Texas at Austin ranks higher globally (#29 vs #55), but Brown University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while The University of Texas at Austin leans toward Engineering, Business & Marketing. 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 The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857.
- Engineering-focused students: The University of Texas at Austin has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $20,500, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Brown University's 7,226.
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.
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
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 (23% of enrollment), while Texas Austin leads with Biology (10%).
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 Texas Austin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while The University of Texas at Austin concentrates in Engineering, Business & Marketing, Communications. 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 The University of Texas at Austin?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 27% at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin is more affordable, with an average net price of $19,857 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or The University of Texas at Austin?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
Brown University vs The University of Texas at Austin: which is better for social mobility?
The University of Texas at Austin is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or The University of Texas at Austin?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose The University of Texas at Austin if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown University 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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