Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs University of Pennsylvania
- Brown Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 11
- Pennsylvania Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Pennsylvania achieves a higher graduation rate (97% vs 96%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,699 compared to Brown University's $25,184. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $3,515 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #55
Pennsylvania
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, 19% more than Brown University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Pennsylvania in Social Sciences (11%). 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 University of Pennsylvania over Brown University. Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment vs $93,487.
Pick Brown University over University of Pennsylvania. Net price $25,184 vs $28,699.
Pick Brown University over University of Pennsylvania. THE World Rank #55 vs #109.
Pick University of Pennsylvania over Brown University. 1.8% 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 University of Pennsylvania split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of Pennsylvania takes 5%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,553.
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, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $3,515 a year below University of Pennsylvania's $28,699. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $15,715.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $14,060 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Pennsylvania graduates report median earnings of $111,371, compared with $93,487 at Brown University. That is a 19% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.14x.
So what: An earnings gap of 19% 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
University of Pennsylvania does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; 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 5.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Pennsylvania 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, Brown University sits higher, at #55 versus #109.
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 Brown University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Pennsylvania 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. Brown University saves about $3,515 a year, yet University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $17,884 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 University of Pennsylvania posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.8%. 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. Brown University ranks higher globally (#55 vs #109), but University of Pennsylvania 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 Computer Science & IT, while University of Pennsylvania leans toward Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Brown competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,699 runs well above Brown University's $25,184.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $15,715, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Pennsylvania's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Pennsylvania's enrollment of 10,650 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.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the University of Pennsylvania attracts students who are not only academically strong but also deeply passionate about their fields. This school is especially well-suited for those interested in areas like Biology and Biomedical studies, Social Sciences, Health Professions, Computer Science and IT, and Business and Marketing. The vibrant atmosphere of Philadelphia adds an urban edge to the college experience, making it a great fit for students looking to engage in both rigorous academics and lively city life.
Looking at the outcomes, graduates from Penn see significant returns on their investment. With a 10-year earnings average of $111,371, it's clear that a degree from here can open doors to lucrative career paths. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting diverse backgrounds, the high graduation rate of 97% suggests that students who enroll are likely to complete their studies successfully.
Financially, the net price after aid sits at $28,699, which is manageable given the strong earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $15,715, students here can graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive at Penn are often highly motivated, driven, and ready to take advantage of the rich resources and opportunities available within the institution and the surrounding city.
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 11% of Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Pennsylvania concentrates in Health Professions. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 5% at University of Pennsylvania.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or University of Pennsylvania?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania.
Do Brown University or University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more: median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, versus $93,487 at Brown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, 97% versus 96%.
Brown University vs University of Pennsylvania: which is better for social mobility?
University of Pennsylvania is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or University of Pennsylvania?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Pennsylvania 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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