When considering higher education, prospective students often find themselves comparing colleges and universities that share a number of similarities. In this article, we will compare two such institutions: Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania. Both Ivy League schools, they are known for their renowned faculties, rigorous academics, and vibrant campus communities. However, there are clear distinctions between them. We will discuss various aspects of each institution, such as costs and tuition, academics, diversity, rankings, and outcomes, in order to provide a comprehensive comparison.
[School 1] Overview
Brown University
Brown University is a private Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1764, it is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The university is known for its unique Open Curriculum, allowing students to have greater control over their educational paths.
Brown Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Brown University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $61,632. Additionally, the average cost of room and board is $17,010, bringing the total cost of attendance to approximately $78,642 per year. However, Brown is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students through a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
Brown Admissions
Admissions at Brown University are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 6.9% for the class of 2025. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1460-1550, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 33-35. Brown uses a holistic admissions process, considering factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and demonstrated interest in the university.
Brown Degrees Offered
Brown University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, spanning the arts and sciences, engineering, public health, and more. Students can choose from over 80 concentrations, including interdisciplinary options that allow them to tailor their education to their specific interests and goals.
Brown Academics
At Brown, students have the freedom to design their own curriculum through the Open Curriculum, which does not require any general education or distribution requirements. Instead, students work with academic advisors to develop a personalized plan of study that reflects their passions and aspirations. Brown boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, allowing for small class sizes and close relationships between students and professors.
Brown Diversity
Brown University is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. For the class of 2025, 49% of students identify as students of color, and 18% are first-generation college students. Additionally, the university offers numerous resources, programs, and organizations dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Brown Students
Brown has a total enrollment of approximately 10,257 students, with 7,160 undergraduate students and 3,097 graduate and professional students. The student body at Brown is known for its collaborative and intellectually curious nature, as well as its active involvement in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, and community service.
Brown Campus
Brown’s picturesque campus is located in the historic College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. The campus features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, with ample green spaces and state-of-the-art facilities. The university’s location offers students access to a vibrant urban environment, with numerous cultural, artistic, and recreational opportunities nearby.
Brown Alumni
Notable Brown alumni include prominent figures in various fields, such as politics, business, entertainment, and academia. Some famous graduates include John F. Kennedy Jr., Emma Watson, and Janet Yellen.
Brown Rankings
According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report, Brown ranks 14th among national universities and 1st for undergraduate teaching.
Brown Outcomes
Brown University boasts strong post-graduation outcomes for its graduates, with a 96% success rate in securing employment, graduate school admission, or other opportunities within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for Brown alumni is $66,000.
[School 2] Overview
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, often referred to as Penn or UPenn, is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Penn is renowned for its professional schools, including the Wharton School of Business, and its commitment to interdisciplinary learning.
Penn Costs & Tuition
Tuition at the University of Pennsylvania for the 2021-2022 academic year is $60,042. The average cost of room and board is $17,602, bringing the total cost of attendance to approximately $77,644 per year. Like Brown, Penn is also committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students through a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
Penn Admissions
Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania are also highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 5.68% for the class of 2025. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1460-1550, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 33-35. Similar to Brown, Penn utilizes a holistic admissions process, taking into account factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and demonstrated interest in the university.
Penn Degrees Offered
The University of Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its four schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Nursing, and the Wharton School of Business. Students can choose from over 100 majors and minors, as well as numerous dual-degree and interdisciplinary programs.
Penn Academics
Penn emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research, with a focus on preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, similar to Brown, allowing for small class sizes and close relationships between students and professors.
Penn Diversity
The University of Pennsylvania is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. For the class of 2025, 53% of students identify as students of color, and 15% are first-generation college students. The university offers various resources, programs, and organizations dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.
Penn Students
Penn has a total enrollment of approximately 22,376 students, with 11,853 undergraduate students and 10,523 graduate and professional students. The student body at Penn is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, as well as its active involvement in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, and community service.
Penn Campus
Penn’s urban campus is located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, blending historic and modern architecture with ample green spaces and state-of-the-art facilities. The university’s location offers students access to numerous cultural, artistic, and recreational opportunities within the vibrant city.
Penn Alumni
Notable University of Pennsylvania alumni include prominent figures in various fields, such as politics, business, entertainment, and academia. Some famous graduates include Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Penn Rankings
According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report, the University of Pennsylvania ranks 8th among national universities.
Penn Outcomes
The University of Pennsylvania also boasts strong post-graduation outcomes for its graduates, with a 95% success rate in securing employment, graduate school admission, or other opportunities within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for Penn alumni is $70,100.
Brown vs Penn Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs and tuition of Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, both institutions have similar price points. Brown’s total cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $78,642, while Penn’s total cost is around $77,644. Both universities are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students through a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. As a result, financial aid packages at both institutions are often generous and tailored to each student’s unique financial circumstances.
Brown vs Penn Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania are highly competitive. Brown’s acceptance rate for the class of 2025 was 6.9%, while Penn’s was 5.68%. Both universities have similar middle 50% SAT and ACT score ranges for admitted students, with Brown’s at 1460-1550 and 33-35, and Penn’s at 1460-1550 and 33-35. Both institutions utilize a holistic admissions process, taking into account factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and demonstrated interest in the university.
Brown vs Penn Academic Difficulty
Both Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania are renowned for their rigorous academics and world-class faculty. However, they differ in their approaches to education. Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to have greater control over their educational paths, with no general education or distribution requirements. In contrast, Penn emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research, with a focus on preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The student-to-faculty ratio at both institutions is 6:1, allowing for small class sizes and close relationships between students and professors.
Brown vs Penn Outcome Comparison
Both Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania boast strong post-graduation outcomes for their graduates. Brown has a 96% success rate in securing employment, graduate school admission, or other opportunities within six months of graduation, with a median starting salary of $66,000. Penn has a 95% success rate in the same categories, with a median starting salary of $70,100. While both institutions offer excellent career prospects for their alumni, Penn graduates tend to earn slightly higher starting salaries.
