Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Vanderbilt University
- Brown Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 11
- Vanderbilt Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Vanderbilt University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 compared to Vanderbilt University's $15,846 for in-state paths. Students who choose Vanderbilt University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $91,565 at ten years.
54 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, 2% more than Vanderbilt University
- 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
Vanderbilt
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,846, roughly $9,338 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #51
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Vanderbilt in Social Sciences (31%). 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 Vanderbilt University. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $91,565.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Brown University. Net price $15,846 vs $25,184.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Brown University. THE World Rank #51 vs #55.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Brown University. 1.5% 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 Vanderbilt University 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 Vanderbilt University takes 6%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,549.
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, Vanderbilt University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,846, about $9,338 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $14,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,352 before any change in aid. Choosing Vanderbilt University 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 $91,565 at Vanderbilt University. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.15x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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
Vanderbilt University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.5%; 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 2.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Vanderbilt University 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, Vanderbilt University sits higher, at #51 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 Vanderbilt University 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. Vanderbilt University saves about $9,338 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $1,922 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 Vanderbilt University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while Vanderbilt University leans toward Engineering. 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 Vanderbilt University's $15,846.
- Engineering-focused students: Vanderbilt University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $14,000, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Vanderbilt University's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Vanderbilt holds onto its admits more tightly: 78% of admitted students enroll, versus 63% at Brown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Brown (17.9% Early Decision admit rate vs 14.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Vanderbilt, where only about 52% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Vanderbilt University attracts motivated students who are ready to dive into rigorous programs. Located in Nashville, this school is particularly appealing to those interested in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology. The small enrollment of about 7,200 means students often benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering a close-knit academic community where collaboration thrives.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Vanderbilt graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $91,565 within ten years. This impressive figure reflects the university's strong emphasis on career readiness and networking opportunities. While the data on mobility isn't available, the high graduation rate of 93% speaks to the support students receive, which can help them move into successful careers.
When it comes to the financial aspect, students can expect a net price of around $15,846 after aid, which is quite manageable given the potential earnings. With a median debt of $14,000, graduates usually leave with a reasonable financial burden. Students who thrive here are often those who are driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the university's resources to achieve their goals.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of Brown's student body and 31% of Vanderbilt's.
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 Vanderbilt).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while Vanderbilt University concentrates in Engineering. 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 Vanderbilt University?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 6% at Vanderbilt University.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,846 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or Vanderbilt University graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $91,565 at Vanderbilt University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Vanderbilt University?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Brown University vs Vanderbilt University: which is better for social mobility?
Vanderbilt University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.5% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Vanderbilt University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Vanderbilt University 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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