The Student Population Of Brown University Explored

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 (as of fall 2023), with a gender distribution of 48.1% male students and 51.9% female students. The university welcomed a total of 3,289 new students for the 2024-25 academic year.

Brown University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 (fall 2023)

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 for the fall of 2023. This includes full-time degree-seeking students as well as part-time students. The gender distribution is 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

The university's campus size is 146 acres, and it offers housing to 74% of its students. The remaining 26% live off campus. The undergraduate population is part of a vibrant and diverse community at Brown, which also includes 2,955 graduate students and 595 medical students, bringing the total student population to 11,259.

Brown's undergraduate admissions are among the most selective in the country, with an acceptance rate of 5% for the class of 2026. The university received 50,649 applications for this class, the largest in its history, and admitted 2,560 students. Brown's selective admissions contribute to its reputation as a leading institution, currently ranked 13th among National Universities.

The university offers its undergraduates unparalleled freedom in shaping their education through its Open Curriculum. While students must complete at least 30 courses in eight semesters and a concentration program, they are not bound by a required core curriculum or distribution requirements. This flexibility allows students to pursue their intellectual passions and shape their unique academic paths.

Graduate and medical student enrollment

Graduate Students

Brown University welcomed 1,420 new graduate students in Fall 2024. The university has an overall graduate enrollment of 2,955 students, with 3,775 graduate students as of Fall 2023. The graduate school is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 9%.

The graduate student body is diverse, with 33% of new students from the U.S. coming from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, and 48% of all new students being international. Graduate students come from a wide range of locations, with 46 U.S. states and territories and 71 nations represented. The most common countries of origin for international students are China, India, Canada, South Korea, and Brazil.

Medical Students

The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University enrolled a total of 144 new aspiring physicians in its M.D. Class of 2028. The medical school is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 2.8%.

The medical student body is also diverse, with 24% of students coming from groups historically underrepresented in medicine. The medical school draws students from a broad range of colleges and universities, with 53 institutions represented. The student body is predominantly U.S.-based, with 28 U.S. states and territories represented, along with 14 other nations.

The medical school offers a range of dual-degree programs, including an M.D.-Sc.M. program in Primary Care-Population Medicine, which is the first of its kind in the nation.

Housing and residence

Brown University, a private Ivy League research institution, was founded in 1764 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 students as of Fall 2023. The university offers a variety of housing options for its students, including first-year, sophomore, and junior/senior housing, as well as special interest housing.

First-Year and Transfer Student Housing

First-year and transfer students at Brown University have a range of housing options available to them. These options offer various settings and room sizes, with unique features in each building.

Program, Theme, and Greek Buildings

Some residence halls have floors or sections allocated to Program, Theme, and Greek House organizations. These houses provide opportunities for students with shared interests or identities to live and work together.

Upper-Division Buildings

Brown University also offers campus residence options for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, allowing students to continue living on campus as they progress in their academic careers.

Off-Campus Housing

Undergraduate students who wish to live off-campus must first obtain permission from the university. Brown University provides resources to help students find housing, roommates, and rental properties in the area.

Special Interest Housing

The university also provides special interest housing options, including same-sex housing, substance-free housing, and quiet housing. These options cater to students who prefer specific living environments that align with their interests, values, or lifestyle choices.

Brown College

Brown College, established in 1986, is one of the university's residential colleges that follow a "living/learning" model. It consists of 12 interconnected, air-conditioned buildings called "portals," each containing two single-occupancy bedrooms with an adjoining shared bathroom. Upperclassmen living in Brown College are required to participate in a meal plan. The college fosters close ties between students and faculty, with approximately 40 faculty fellows from various departments and schools within the university.

Sports and clubs

Brown University is a private institution founded in 1764 and located in Providence, RI. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 students (as of fall 2023). The campus size spans 146 acres, and the university utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

Brown University offers a wide range of sports and club opportunities for its students. As a Division I school and a founding member of the Ivy League, Brown places a strong emphasis on athletics and recreation.

Student-athletes at Brown compete in 34 varsity sports teams and 37 club sports teams. The university's varsity athletes regularly compete for national titles and Ivy League championships, and Brown athletes have gone on to achieve notable success in top-tier leagues, including the Super Bowl and the Olympics.

In addition to varsity and club sports, Brown offers intramural sports, physical education courses, fitness programs, and recreational opportunities. The university's intramural sports program consists of 25 different offerings, with more than 4,100 participants from across the campus.

The university is also home to a state-of-the-art fitness centre, the Nelson Fitness Centre, which spans 10,000 square feet and is located alongside the expansive Erickson Athletics Complex.

Beyond athletics, Brown boasts over 400 student organizations, catering to a diverse range of interests. These organizations include a cappella groups, ultimate frisbee, student government, community service groups, and performing arts groups. Students who cannot find a club or group that aligns with their interests are empowered to create their own.

Nearly 60% of undergraduates at Brown declare the arts as their principal co-curricular interest, and the university offers numerous opportunities for students to explore their creative passions. Music groups, for instance, encompass a range of genres, from a cappella to Beethoven symphonies.

Overall, Brown University provides a comprehensive array of sports and club activities, ensuring that students can pursue their passions, discover new interests, and connect with others who share similar interests.

Student demographics

Brown University's student population is vibrant and diverse, with a total of 11,516 students as of Fall 2023. This includes 7,741 undergraduate students, 2,955 graduate students, and 595 medical students. The gender distribution among the students is relatively balanced, with 48.1% male and 51.9% female. The university's admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 5% for the undergraduate Class of 2026.

The student body is made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and identities. In terms of racial diversity, 18% of the incoming first-year students for the 2024-25 academic year come from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Additionally, 14% of these new undergraduates are international citizens, representing 82 nations and speaking 103 languages. This makes it the most globally diverse group of new undergraduates in Brown's history.

The university also has a significant population of first-generation college students, with 14% of the incoming class identifying as the first in their families to pursue higher education. Furthermore, Brown's commitment to accessibility is evident in the proportion of students receiving financial aid. For the undergraduate Class of 2028, 45% of students are set to receive need-based scholarships or grant aid.

The student population at Brown is also characterised by its varied interests and pursuits. The most common intended areas of concentration among the incoming first-year students include economics, computer science, biology, engineering, and political science. Additionally, approximately 12% of Brown students participate in Greek life, and there are over 300 registered student organisations on campus, catering to a diverse range of interests.

The university's housing policy ensures that a significant portion of the student body lives on campus, with 74% of students residing in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing. This contributes to a strong sense of community and encourages engagement in campus life.

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