Stanford vs Brown University
Stanford University and Brown University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, is renowned for its strength in STEM fields, while Brown, located in historic Providence, Rhode Island, emphasizes a liberal arts curriculum. With acceptance rates of 4.7% and 7.1%, respectively, both universities are highly selective. Stanford's student body is more diverse, with 51% female and 22% international students, compared to Brown's 50% female and 13% international students. While Stanford boasts higher graduation rates, Brown offers a more intimate learning environment with a lower student-to-faculty ratio. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two prestigious universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $78,898 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $14,402 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 58.5% |
International students | 18.6% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 0.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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