Brown University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Brown University charges a net price of $25,184/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $100,736. Graduates earn a median $93,487 ten years after entry, $45,127/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.2 years — a 20-year net return of $801,804, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Brown University's 2.2-year payback ranks #91 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 93% of them, and #1 of 14 in Rhode Island.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,184/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $100,736 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $93,487 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $45,127/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $11,428 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $801,804 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Brown University's own numbers. Net price $25,184 × 4 years = $100,736 total. Median earnings $93,487 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $45,127 a year of premium. $100,736 ÷ $45,127 = 2.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $801,804. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Brown University students graduate with?
A median $11,428 in federal loans among completers, or 12% of the $93,487 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Brown University students graduate?
96% finish their degree. Spread the $100,736 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,933 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Brown University expensive compared with other Rhode Island colleges?
Its $25,184 net price runs $4,119 below the $29,303 median across the 14 Rhode Island colleges we profile, and $16,474 less across the full degree.