Brown University vs University of Chicago

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
University of Chicago
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Brown University
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
University of Chicago
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Brown University
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
5.2%
4.8%
Avg SAT Score
1,546
1,554
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1500 – 1570
1510 – 1570
Avg ACT Score
34
34
ACT Range (25th–75th)
34 – 35
34 – 35
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$26,572
$18,967
Tuition (In-State)
$68,230
$66,939
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$68,230
$66,939
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
13.3%
14.5%
Federal Loan Rate
9.2%
5.1%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$93,487
$91,885
Graduation Rate
95.5%
95.2%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
98.7%
99.4%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
7,273
7,540
Undergrad Enrollment
8,026
9,174
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Brown University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

University of Chicago

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Brown University and University of Chicago are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Chicago is more selective with a 4.8% acceptance rate compared to Brown University's 5.2%. Average SAT scores are 1546 and 1554 respectively.

Cost: University of Chicago offers a lower average net price at $18,967, which is $7,605 less than Brown University ($26,572). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Brown University earn a median salary of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, which is $1,602 more than University of Chicago graduates ($91,885).

Graduation: Brown University leads with a 95.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 98.7% vs 99.4%.

Campus Size: University of Chicago is the larger campus with 7,540 total students, while Brown University has 7,273.

Bottom Line: University of Chicago wins on affordability while Brown University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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