Yale University vs Brown University

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Deciding on a college can be a challenging task. In this article, we compare two of the most prestigious colleges in the United States: Yale University and Brown University. We will delve into each school’s costs and tuition, admissions process, degree offerings, academics, diversity, student population, campus life, alumni relations, rankings, and outcomes. By examining these factors, we hope to provide valuable information that can help guide future students in choosing the best college for their individual needs and goals.

CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Yale University Overview

Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, was founded in 1701. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale is a member of the Ivy League and offers a wide range of academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. The school has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 120 countries.

Yale University Costs & Tuition

Tuition at Yale for the 2021-2022 academic year is $59,950, with an additional $17,200 for room and board. However, Yale is committed to making its education accessible to students of all financial backgrounds. It offers generous financial aid packages, with 64% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The average need-based scholarship provided by the school is $55,000.

Yale University Admissions

Admission to Yale is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 6.3% for the class of 2025. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores (although the requirement has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19), teacher recommendations, and a personal essay. Yale takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, considering factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.

Yale University Degrees Offered

Yale offers over 80 undergraduate majors, 2,000 undergraduate courses, and more than 100 graduate and professional degree programs. The university is particularly known for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and sciences. Some of the most popular majors at Yale include economics, political science, history, and psychology.

Yale University Academics

Students at Yale have the opportunity to engage in a rigorous academic environment with small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, ensuring that students have the opportunity to build strong relationships with their professors. Additionally, there are numerous research opportunities for students across all disciplines, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in their fields of study.

Yale University Diversity

Yale values diversity and inclusion, with 51% of the undergraduate student body identifying as students of color. Moreover, international students make up 12% of the total student population. The university offers various resources and support services for minority and international students, including cultural centers and affinity groups.

Yale University Students

Yale has a diverse and active student population, with over 400 student organizations and clubs on campus. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from performing arts groups to political clubs, cultural organizations, and athletic teams. The university also has a vibrant residential college system, which fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie among students.

Yale University Campus

Yale’s campus is renowned for its beautiful architecture, with a mix of Gothic and modern buildings. The university is home to world-class facilities, including the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Yale University Art Gallery, and the Yale Center for British Art. Yale also boasts extensive athletic facilities, with 21 varsity sports teams competing in the Ivy League.

Yale University Alumni

Yale has a vast network of notable alumni, including five U.S. Presidents, 20 Supreme Court Justices, and numerous Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, and business leaders. The university actively fosters connections between its alumni and current students, with various networking, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

Yale University Rankings

Yale is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. In 2021, it was ranked #4 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #11 in the QS World University Rankings.

Yale University Outcomes

Yale graduates enjoy excellent outcomes, with a 96% graduation rate and a 94% employment or graduate school enrollment rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for a Yale graduate is $70,000.

Brown University Overview

Brown University, founded in 1764, is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown is a member of the Ivy League and is known for its innovative and flexible curriculum, the Brown Curriculum, which allows students to create their own plan of study. The school is also recognized for its commitment to diversity and social justice.

Brown University Costs & Tuition

Tuition at Brown for the 2021-2022 academic year is $60,944, with an additional $16,390 for room and board. Like Yale, Brown is committed to making its education affordable for students of all financial backgrounds. Approximately 43% of students receive need-based financial aid, with an average scholarship of $47,000.

Brown University Admissions

Admission to Brown is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 5.4% for the class of 2025. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores (although the requirement has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19), teacher recommendations, and a personal essay. Brown takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, evaluating factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.

Brown University Degrees Offered

Brown offers over 80 undergraduate concentrations, as well as numerous graduate and professional degree programs. The university is known for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and sciences. Some of the most popular concentrations at Brown include computer science, economics, biology, and political science.

Brown University Academics

Students at Brown have the freedom to design their own course of study, with no required core curriculum. The school emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore a wide range of subjects and interests. The student-faculty ratio at Brown is 7:1, providing students with personalized attention from their professors. There are also many research opportunities available to students across all disciplines.

Brown University Diversity

Brown values diversity and inclusion, with 45% of the undergraduate student body identifying as students of color. International students make up 14% of the total student population. The university offers various resources and support services for minority and international students, including cultural centers and affinity groups.

Brown University Students

Brown has a vibrant and engaged student population, with over 400 student organizations and clubs on campus. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from performing arts groups to political clubs, cultural organizations, and athletic teams. Brown competes in the Ivy League with 34 varsity sports teams.

Brown University Campus

Brown’s campus is located in the historic College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. The university is known for its picturesque campus, with ivy-covered buildings and expansive green spaces. The school is home to state-of-the-art facilities, including the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, the Nelson Fitness Center, and the John Hay Library.

Brown University Alumni

Brown has a notable network of alumni, including prominent figures in business, politics, academia, and the arts. The university fosters connections between its alumni and current students, with various networking, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

Brown University Rankings

Brown is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. In 2021, it was ranked #14 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #52 in the QS World University Rankings.

Brown University Outcomes

Brown graduates enjoy strong outcomes, with a 95% graduation rate and a 94% employment or graduate school enrollment rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for a Brown graduate is $66,000.

Yale University vs Brown University Cost Comparison

Yale and Brown have similar tuition costs, with Yale at $59,950 and Brown at $60,944 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Room and board fees are also comparable, with Yale at $17,200 and Brown at $16,390. Both schools are committed to affordability and offer financial aid packages based on need. However, Yale provides a higher average need-based scholarship ($55,000) compared to Brown ($47,000).

Yale University vs Brown University Admissions Difficulty

Admissions to both Yale and Brown are highly competitive, with acceptance rates of 6.3% and 5.4%, respectively, for the class of 2025. Both schools take a holistic approach to admissions, considering factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The admissions process for both universities is similarly challenging, with no significant difference in difficulty.

Yale University vs Brown University Academic Difficulty

Yale and Brown both offer rigorous academic environments, with small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. However, the academic experience at each school is distinct. Yale has a more structured curriculum, while Brown offers students the freedom to design their own course of study. Both schools provide numerous research opportunities across all disciplines, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience in their fields of study.

Yale University vs Brown University Outcome Comparison

Both Yale and Brown graduates enjoy strong outcomes, with graduation rates of 96% and 95%, respectively. Employment or graduate school enrollment rates within six months of graduation.