Brown University is a private Ivy League research university located in Providence, click here for more Rhode Island. Founded in 1764, it is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and the first Ivy League school to accept students from all religious affiliations . What truly sets Brown apart, however, is its legendary Open Curriculum—a radical educational philosophy that eliminates all core requirements and empowers students to design their own academic paths.
A History of Openness
Brown was founded as the College of Rhode Island in 1764, originally located in Warren, Rhode Island, before moving to its current home on College Hill overlooking Providence in 1770 . It was renamed Brown University in 1804 in recognition of a $5,000 gift from Nicholas Brown, a prominent Providence businessman and alumnus .
The university’s commitment to access and inclusion has deep roots. Brown was the first Ivy League institution to welcome students of all faiths, and it admitted women in 1891—decades before many of its peers . The Women’s College was later renamed Pembroke College before merging with the men’s undergraduate college in 1971 .
Brown’s most defining moment came in 1970, when the faculty adopted what became known as the Brown Curriculum. The idea originated from a report written by undergraduates Ira Magaziner and Elliot Maxwell, who argued for eliminating core requirements and giving students full ownership of their education . This student-led reform created the Open Curriculum that remains Brown’s signature feature today.
The Open Curriculum: Freedom with Responsibility
The Open Curriculum is Brown’s most distinctive attribute. There are no required courses, no core curriculum, and no distribution requirements. Students are the architects of their own education, designing a concentration (major) and selecting courses that align with their intellectual interests .
This freedom is not without structure. Students work closely with faculty advisors to develop a coherent plan of study, and they must demonstrate depth in their concentration. But the philosophy behind the Open Curriculum is that genuine intellectual engagement comes from curiosity, not compliance. As Brown describes it, the curriculum demands that students “serve as the architects of their courses of study” .
The results speak to the model’s effectiveness. Brown students are known for being self-directed, intellectually curious, and willing to cross traditional academic boundaries. The university offers over 80 undergraduate concentrations and 2,000+ courses each year, with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 68% of classes having fewer than 20 students .
Academic Excellence and Rankings
Brown is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States. It is a member of the Ivy League and a leading research institution, with connections to seven Nobel laureates, including alumni Craig C. Mello (Physiology or Medicine) and Jerry White (Peace) .
The university offers 46 doctoral programs, 41 master’s degree programs, and extensive opportunities for undergraduate research. Over 900 independent study and research courses are offered each year, reflecting Brown’s emphasis on student-driven inquiry .
Admissions: Selective and Holistic
Brown’s admissions process is among the most competitive in the nation. For the Class of 2029, Brown received 48,904 applications and admitted 2,638 students, for an overall acceptance rate of approximately 5.4% . dig this Early Decision admitted 898 students from 6,251 applicants—a rate of 14.4%, more than two-and-a-half times the overall rate .
The academic profile of admitted students is exceptional:
- 89% finished in the top 10% of their high school class
- 98% finished in the top quarter
- SAT middle 50%: 1510–1560
- ACT middle 50%: 34–35
Brown reinstated standardized testing as a requirement for the Class of 2029 after a four-year test-optional period .
What Brown looks for in applicants extends beyond numbers. The admissions office evaluates a “cohesive narrative” across every section of the application—transcript, testing, activities, essays, and recommendations must tell one coherent story. A credible plan for using the Open Curriculum is Brown’s defining question, and the strongest applicants name specific classes outside their main interest and explain why they want to take them .
Cost and Financial Aid
Brown is a significant financial investment, but the university is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the cost of attendance is:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $74,568 |
| Fees | $3,084 |
| Housing | $10,710 |
| Food | $8,754 |
| Total Direct Charges | $97,116 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $2,878 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $99,984 |
Brown’s financial aid program includes the Book/Course Materials Support (BCMS) Program, which covers all books and required course materials for most University Scholarship-eligible students at no cost . The university also offers the Brown RISD Dual Degree Program, a five-year program allowing students to earn degrees from both Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design .
Campus and Community
Brown’s College Hill campus offers a classic New England college experience among brick quadrangles, scenic greens, and a mix of historic and modern architecture . The campus is located in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island’s vibrant capital city, known for its innovative arts scene, exceptional culinary offerings, and unpretentious vibe. The campus is just a 30-minute drive to the beach and easily accessible from Boston and New York City .
74% of undergraduates live on campus, and all first-year students are guaranteed housing . With more than 500 student organizations, Brown offers extensive opportunities for involvement, from Aerial Arts Society and Brown Space Engineering to the Ivy Film Festival and Volunteer for Veterans .
Notable Alumni
Brown’s alumni network spans politics, science, entertainment, and literature. Notable graduates include:
- John D. Rockefeller, Jr. — Philanthropist
- Janet Yellen — Economist, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, and U.S. Treasury Secretary
- Charles Evans Hughes — Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
- Emma Watson — Actress (Harry Potter series)
- John Krasinski — Actor and director (The Office)
- Ira Glass — Host of This American Life
- Lois Lowry — Author (The Giver)
- Edwidge Danticat — Author
- Ottessa Moshfegh — Author
- Jessica Meir — NASA astronaut
- Lynn Nottage — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
- Jeffrey Eugenides — Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
A Distinctive Choice
Brown University offers an education unlike any other in the Ivy League. Its Open Curriculum is not merely a policy—it is a philosophy that trusts students to take ownership of their intellectual lives. For self-directed, curious, and resilient students who thrive without rigid guardrails, Brown provides an environment where genuine learning is driven by passion rather than prescription.
As President Christina Paxson told the Class of 2029 at Opening Convocation, Brown students share “an amazing blend of intellectual curiosity, creativity and humility; a commitment to collaboration; an openness to new ideas and perspectives; a desire to make the world better—and resilience” . That spirit—of freedom, responsibility, company website and community—continues to define Brown University as one of the most distinctive institutions in American higher education.