Students planning to apply to Brown University for Fall 2027 need to prepare for one of the most competitive undergraduate admission processes in the United States.

Brown is known for its Open Curriculum, flexible undergraduate education and Ivy League reputation, but prospective students should look beyond academics when building their application plan.

Admission deadlines, SAT or ACT testing, essays, teacher recommendations, tuition, housing, FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships and financial aid deadlines can all affect a student’s college decision.

There are several especially important points for Fall 2027 applicants.

First:

Brown requires either SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants.

Brown returned to required standardized testing beginning with the 2024–25 admissions cycle. Test scores are evaluated as one part of a broader, contextual application review. Brown has no minimum SAT or ACT cutoff.

Second:

Brown is now need-blind for both domestic and international first-year applicants.

This means a student’s need for financial assistance is not supposed to determine whether that first-year applicant is admitted.

Brown also states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.

Third:

Brown’s published 2026–27 cost of attendance is nearly $100,000 per year, but need-based scholarships can reduce that price dramatically.

For 2026–27, Brown lists tuition of $74,568 and a total direct-and-indirect student budget of approximately $99,984 before certain individual expenses.

This guide explains the latest verified information for Brown University Admissions 2027, including Early Decision, Regular Decision, testing, essays, acceptance rates, tuition, FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships, student loans and international financial aid.

Updated: September 2026

Brown University Admissions 2027 at a Glance

Brown Admission Detail	Fall 2027 Information
University	Brown University
Location	Providence, Rhode Island
Ivy League	Yes
Application Platform	Common Application
Early Decision Deadline	November 1, 2026
Regular Decision Deadline	January 5, 2027
Early Decision	Binding
Application Fee	$80 or eligible fee waiver
SAT/ACT	Required
SAT/ACT Minimum	No published minimum
Superscoring	Yes
ED Financial Aid Deadline	November 2, 2026
RD Financial Aid Deadline	February 1, 2027
FAFSA Code	003401
CSS Profile Code	3189
Financial Aid	Need-based
Merit Scholarships	No
Need-Blind First-Year Admission	Yes
International Need-Blind Admission	Yes
Demonstrated Need Met	100%
Loans Packaged in Brown Aid	No
2026–27 Tuition	$74,568
2026–27 Cost of Attendance	$99,984

Brown’s first-year application is submitted through the Common Application and Brown Member section. The current application fee is $80, although eligible applicants can receive a fee waiver.

Brown Early Decision Deadline for Fall 2027

Brown’s Early Decision application deadline is:

November 1, 2026

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time zone.

Students applying Early Decision generally receive their admission decision by mid-December.

Early Decision applicants should prepare well before November.

The application involves more than simply submitting the Common Application.

Applicants generally need:

Common Application
Brown-specific questions
Brown essays
High school transcript
School Report
Counselor recommendation
Two teacher recommendations
SAT or ACT scores
$80 fee or approved fee waiver
Early Decision Agreement

Applicants to specialized programs such as PLME or the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program have additional writing requirements.

Is Brown Early Decision Binding?

Yes.

Brown Early Decision is binding.

If a student applies Early Decision and is admitted, the student is expected to enroll and withdraw pending applications from other universities.

Brown also asks Early Decision applicants not to simultaneously submit another Early Decision, Single-Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action application.

Students should therefore apply ED only if Brown is genuinely their first choice.

Brown also specifically warns applicants not to assume that applying Early Decision automatically improves their admission chances. The university says its admission board makes the same type of admission judgments in Early Decision that it would make during Regular Decision.

That distinction is important.

A higher historical early admission rate does not mean every student receives an automatic admissions advantage simply by applying early.

Should You Apply Early Decision to Brown?

Early Decision can make sense when:

Brown is clearly your first-choice university.
You are ready to complete a strong application by November.
Your SAT or ACT testing is complete.
Your family has researched Brown’s financial aid.
You understand the binding commitment.
You have used Brown’s financial aid estimator.

Regular Decision may be more suitable if:

You want additional time to improve your application.
You want another SAT or ACT attempt.
You are still comparing universities.
You want to compare financial aid packages before committing.

A family needing substantial financial aid should understand expected net cost before entering a binding agreement.

Brown Regular Decision Deadline for Fall 2027

Brown’s Regular Decision deadline is:

January 5, 2027

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time zone.

Brown says Regular Decision applicants receive decisions by early April.

Admitted Regular Decision students generally have until:

May 1, 2027

to decide whether to enroll.

Regular Decision is nonbinding, making it easier for students to compare financial aid offers from Brown with Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Duke, Northwestern and other universities.

Brown Application Fee for 2027

Brown’s current first-year application fee is:

$80

The fee is nonrefundable.

However, Brown provides fee waivers for qualifying applicants.

Brown automatically waives the fee for certain students, including some students who are eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program or participate in qualifying college-access and low-income support programs.

This is valuable for families applying to many universities.

For example:

10 applications × $80 = $800

That amount does not include SAT or ACT registration, campus travel or financial-aid-related expenses.

Eligible applicants should use legitimate fee waivers rather than removing an otherwise suitable university from their list because of the application charge.

Does Brown Require SAT or ACT Scores for Fall 2027?

Yes.

Brown requires either the:

SAT, or
ACT

from first-year applicants.

Brown restored mandatory testing beginning with the 2024–25 admissions cycle after reviewing several years of admission and academic-performance data.

This means Fall 2027 applicants should not rely on older articles describing Brown as test-optional.

Testing needs to be part of the application plan.

Does Brown Have a Minimum SAT or ACT Score?

No.

Brown states that it does not have minimum standardized test scores required for admission.

Scores are considered in context.

Brown may take into account factors including:

Educational opportunities
School environment
Socioeconomic circumstances
Community context
Access to testing resources
Academic preparation

Standardized testing is therefore important, but it is not considered in isolation.

Brown SAT Scores for the Class of 2030

Brown’s latest admission statistics page reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1470–1550 among admitted Class of 2030 students.

For the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section:

57.84% of score submitters were in the 750–800 range.
30.79% were in the 700–740 range.

For SAT Math:

72.76% were in the 750–800 range.
15.97% were in the 700–740 range.

These figures should not be interpreted as required scores.

A 1550 does not guarantee admission.

A score below 1470 does not automatically mean rejection.

Brown’s review considers the broader application.

Brown ACT Scores

Brown’s Class of 2030 statistics show a middle 50% ACT range of:

34–36

Among admitted students submitting ACT results, approximately 59.76% reported scores of 35–36.

Again, these are historical results, not admission cutoffs.

Does Brown Superscore SAT and ACT Results?

Yes.

Brown accepts Score Choice and says it superscores within both the SAT and ACT.

Superscoring can benefit students whose best section results occurred on different test dates.

For example, if a student performs best in SAT Math in October and best in Reading and Writing in November, Brown can consider the strongest applicable section performance under its current policy.

Brown English Proficiency Requirements

International applicants may also need to consider English proficiency testing.

Brown strongly recommends an English proficiency exam when English is not:

The applicant’s first language,
A primary language spoken at home, or
The primary language of instruction throughout secondary school.

Brown currently accepts tests including:

TOEFL
IELTS
Duolingo English Test
Pearson Test of English
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Cambridge C2 Proficiency.

Applicants should review Brown’s latest proficiency-score guidance before testing because scoring scales and university expectations can change.

Brown Application Requirements

A standard first-year Brown application includes:

Common Application
Brown Member section
Brown-specific essay responses
$80 fee or fee waiver
Official high school transcript
School Report
Counselor recommendation
Two teacher recommendations
SAT or ACT scores
Midyear School Report
Final School Report for enrolling students

Brown asks that the two teacher recommendations come from instructors who have taught the applicant in major academic subjects such as:

English
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
World language.

Teacher recommendations can provide context that grades alone cannot show.

Brown Essays for the 2026–27 Admissions Cycle

Brown has published its current essay questions for students applying during 2026–27.

All first-year applicants complete four Brown-specific essays.

The current topics focus on:

How an applicant’s characteristics and approach to learning connect with Brown’s Open Curriculum.
How an aspect of the applicant’s upbringing has shaped them and what they may contribute to Brown.
A class the applicant would like to teach.
Something that brings the applicant joy.

The longer responses are currently around 150–250 words, while the shorter prompts range approximately 100–150 words.

Students applying to specialized programs face additional essays.

PLME Application Requirements

Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education, or PLME, combines undergraduate education with a pathway to medical education.

First-year applicants who want PLME must indicate that interest when applying.

PLME applicants complete additional essays focused on topics including:

Why medicine?
Why PLME?
What personal characteristics may help them become an excellent doctor?

Students cannot transfer into PLME later.

This makes the initial application decision especially important.

Brown|RISD Dual Degree

Brown also offers the highly selective Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program in partnership with the Rhode Island School of Design.

Applicants complete an additional essay explaining why combining Brown’s academic flexibility with RISD’s art and design education is an appropriate fit.

Brown’s current admissions statistics report:

856 Brown|RISD applicants
20 enrolled students

for the latest Class of 2030 profile.

This is an exceptionally selective specialized program.

How to Write Strong Brown Essays

Brown is particularly known for its Open Curriculum.

Applicants should therefore show more than a desire to attend a prestigious Ivy League university.

Brown wants to understand how students think about learning.

Useful essay themes can involve:

Intellectual curiosity
Interdisciplinary interests
Independent learning
Creativity
Community
Personal background
Collaboration
Joy
Academic exploration
Experiences that shaped the applicant

A weak Brown response might say:

“I like Brown because I can take many different courses.”

A stronger response would explain which intellectual questions the student wants to explore, why those subjects connect, and how curricular freedom would support that exploration.

Specificity matters.

Brown’s Open Curriculum and Admissions

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students substantial flexibility outside their concentration.

Brown uses the term concentration where many universities use “major.”

Applicants list their current academic interests, but Brown states that it does not admit first-year students according to concentration and does not maintain admission quotas by academic interest.

That means students should select academic interests honestly rather than attempting to identify a supposedly easier concentration.

How Competitive Is Brown University Admission?

Brown is extremely selective.

Its latest official Brown Admission by the Numbers page reports:

47,944 applications
2,688 admitted students
5.6% acceptance rate
890 Early Decision admits
1,742 first-year students

for the undergraduate Class of 2030.

The same profile reports that:

97% of admitted students whose high schools reported class rank were in the top 10% of their graduating class.

These numbers demonstrate the level of academic competition.

However, they should not be treated as a formula for predicting an individual’s admission chances.

Does Applying Early Guarantee Better Odds?

No.

Although Brown admits a meaningful portion of its class through Early Decision, Brown specifically warns students not to assume Early Decision automatically improves their admission chances.

The admissions committee says it applies the same standards to ED applicants as it would under Regular Decision.

Students should therefore choose ED because Brown is their clear first choice—not merely because they see an attractive historical early acceptance rate.

Brown Tuition for 2026–27

Brown’s latest finalized undergraduate cost figures are for the 2026–27 academic year.

For an incoming first-year student, Brown lists:

Expense	2026–27 Amount
Tuition	$74,568
Fees	$3,084
Housing	$10,710
Food	$8,754
Direct/Billed Charges	$97,116
Personal Expenses	$2,878
Total Cost of Attendance	$99,984

Brown notes that additional individual expenses can include:

Transportation
Computer expenses
Clothing
Additional trips home
Other personal costs.

The actual cost can therefore exceed $99,984 depending on the student’s circumstances.

Brown Tuition for Fall 2027

Students beginning Brown in Fall 2027 should not assume that the 2026–27 tuition figure will remain unchanged.

The current confirmed undergraduate tuition is:

$74,568 for 2026–27.

Brown’s governing board approved this amount as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

The final 2027–28 tuition and cost-of-attendance budget may be different.

Families should use the latest numbers for planning and update their calculations when Brown releases its next tuition schedule.

Brown Financial Aid

Brown says financial aid is one of its highest priorities.

The university meets:

100% of demonstrated financial need.

Brown’s financial aid formula begins with the student’s cost of attendance and then estimates the family’s expected contribution.

The difference becomes the student’s demonstrated financial need.

Brown can meet this need through combinations of:

Brown University Scholarship
Federal grants
State grants
Work-study or campus employment
Outside scholarships

What Is the Brown Promise?

The Brown Promise is a major part of Brown’s undergraduate financial aid policy.

Under this program:

Brown does not package loans in undergraduate financial aid awards.

Instead, packaged loans were replaced by scholarship assistance that does not need to be repaid.

Students and families can still choose to borrow.

But Brown does not automatically use loans as a component of its standard need-based aid award.

That distinction can have an important long-term effect on student debt.

Is Brown Tuition-Free for Families Under $125,000?

Brown currently states that families earning:

$125,000 or less per year with typical assets

can receive scholarships covering full tuition.

At Brown’s current tuition rate, that represents up to:

$74,568 per year in tuition coverage

for an eligible family before considering aid toward additional expenses.

Students should understand that “typical assets” matters.

Income is not the only factor used to determine institutional financial aid.

Brown Financial Aid for Families Under $60,000

Brown provides more extensive support to many lower-income families.

For qualifying families earning:

Less than $60,000 annually with typical assets

Brown states that scholarship assistance covers all major expenses, including:

Tuition
Room
Board
Books
Other costs.

This means an undergraduate education with a sticker price approaching $100,000 can potentially have a dramatically lower net cost for a student from a high-need household.

Why Brown’s Sticker Price Can Be Misleading

A university’s published cost is not necessarily what an individual family pays.

Consider a hypothetical example.

Brown

Published cost: $99,984
Scholarship/grant aid: $80,000
Net cost: $19,984

Another College

Published cost: $55,000
Grant aid: $10,000
Net cost: $45,000

The second university looks much cheaper based only on its advertised cost.

But after financial aid, Brown is cheaper in this example.

Families should therefore compare:

Net Price = Total Cost − Scholarships and Grants

rather than looking at tuition alone.

Does Brown Offer Merit Scholarships?

No.

Brown does not offer institutional undergraduate scholarships based on:

Academic achievement
Athletic talent
Artistic talent
Other forms of merit.

Brown’s institutional aid is based on financial need.

This is consistent with Ivy League financial aid practices.

A perfect SAT score or exceptional GPA does not automatically create a Brown merit scholarship.

Can Students Receive Outside Scholarships?

Yes.

Students can receive scholarships from outside organizations.

Potential sources include:

Foundations
Employers
Community groups
Professional associations
Nonprofit organizations
Local scholarship programs
National scholarship competitions

Brown requires students to report outside financial assistance to the Office of Financial Aid.

Outside scholarships may interact with other components of a student’s financial aid package.

Brown FAFSA Requirements

Eligible U.S. students seeking federal financial assistance complete the:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid — FAFSA

Brown University’s federal school code is:

003401.

FAFSA can affect eligibility for federal programs such as:

Pell Grant
Federal Work-Study
Federal Direct Loans
Other qualifying federal or state assistance

Submitting FAFSA does not mean the student must borrow.

Loans remain a financing option rather than a requirement.

Brown CSS Profile Code

Students seeking Brown institutional need-based financial aid also need the:

CSS Profile

Brown’s CSS Profile code is:

3189.

The CSS Profile collects more detailed financial information than FAFSA.

It may include information relating to:

Parent income
Student income
Savings
Investments
Assets
Business ownership
Household circumstances
Noncustodial parent finances

Brown uses CSS Profile information to calculate eligibility for Brown University Scholarship.

Brown Financial Aid Deadlines for Fall 2027

Brown has already published financial aid deadlines for Fall 2027 first-year applicants.

Early Decision

CSS Profile: November 2, 2026

FAFSA: November 2, 2026

Regular Decision

CSS Profile: February 1, 2027

FAFSA: February 1, 2027.

The admission and financial aid deadlines are therefore different.

Early Decision

Admission application: November 1

Aid applications: November 2

Regular Decision

Admission application: January 5

Aid applications: February 1

Students should create separate reminders for both sets of deadlines.

Does Brown Use IDOC?

Brown uses the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service, commonly known as IDOC, for appropriate financial aid documents.

Applicants may be asked to provide supporting financial materials after submitting the CSS Profile.

These may include:

Parent tax returns
Student tax returns
W-2 forms
Business documents
Other income records

Students should check their financial aid portal carefully after submitting the initial forms.

A CSS Profile alone may not complete the entire institutional aid file.

Divorced or Separated Parents

Brown currently requires a CSS Profile from each parent when parents are divorced or separated.

This can be confusing for families where parents live in separate households.

Applicants should not simply omit the second parent’s information without reviewing Brown’s formal financial aid procedures.

Complex family situations can sometimes require additional documentation.

Brown Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students

Brown applies need-blind admission to first-year applicants who are:

U.S. citizens
U.S. permanent residents
Undocumented students
DACA students.

This means Brown does not use the family’s ability to pay as a determining factor in the first-year admission decision for these groups.

Brown then commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.

Brown Financial Aid for International Students

Brown’s international financial aid policy is especially important because it recently became considerably more generous.

Beginning with first-year international students applying for the Class of 2029, Brown moved to need-blind international undergraduate admissions.

That policy continues for current first-year applicants.

This means Fall 2027 international first-year applicants can request need-based financial aid without their ability to pay being used as a deciding factor in admission.

Brown also commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international students.

Is Brown Need-Blind for International Students in 2027?

Yes.

Brown is one of the relatively small group of highly selective U.S. universities that extends need-blind first-year admission to international applicants.

Brown states that international applicants applying to enter under its current policy are considered need-blind and, if admitted, have their demonstrated financial need met.

This is a major difference from universities such as Columbia, Penn, Duke and Northwestern, which generally use need-aware admission for many international students seeking institutional financial aid.

Brown International CSS Profile

International applicants seeking Brown financial aid generally submit the:

CSS Profile

using code:

3189.

For Fall 2027 international applicants:

Early Decision deadline: November 2, 2026

Regular Decision deadline: February 1, 2027.

Brown does not accept the ISFAA as a general replacement for the electronic CSS Profile.

There are limited special procedures for applicants from countries where the CSS Profile cannot be used.

Does Brown Offer International Merit Scholarships?

No.

Brown financial aid for international undergraduates is also need-based.

Brown explicitly states that it does not offer merit awards.

An international student with outstanding academic achievements can still receive a very large Brown scholarship—but the amount is based on financial need rather than being a prize for grades or test scores.

Brown Scholarships and Student Loans

Brown’s institutional financial aid can provide scholarships that do not have to be repaid.

Loans are different.

Brown Scholarship

Institutional need-based funding that generally does not require repayment.

Federal Grant

Federal aid, such as a Pell Grant, that generally does not require repayment when eligibility rules are met.

Federal Student Loan

Borrowed money that generally must be repaid with interest.

Private Student Loan

Education financing from a private bank or lender.

Parent Loan

Money borrowed by a parent for a student’s education.

Brown’s financial aid packages do not automatically include loans, although families can choose loans for additional financing.

Brown Net Price Calculator

Families considering Brown should use its official financial aid estimator before assuming the university is unaffordable.

This is especially important for Early Decision applicants.

A cost estimator can provide a preliminary idea of:

Expected family contribution
Estimated Brown scholarship
Possible net price

It is still only an estimate.

The official award comes after Brown evaluates the applicant’s complete financial information.

How to Build a Strong Brown Application

With an official latest acceptance rate of around 5.6%, Brown is a reach university for virtually every applicant.

There is no guaranteed admission formula.

Applicants can, however, improve the quality of the application they control.

1. Build a Strong Academic Record

Brown’s admissions office emphasizes secondary-school performance and academic preparation.

Admission officers consider:

Grades
Skills demonstrated through schoolwork
Depth and breadth of coursework
Advanced courses available to the student
Teacher recommendations
Educational opportunities available at the high school.

Course rigor matters in context.

A student cannot take AP or IB courses their school does not offer.

2. Prepare Seriously for SAT or ACT Testing

Fall 2027 Brown applicants cannot rely on a test-optional strategy.

Either SAT or ACT scores are required.

Students should ideally begin testing early enough to leave time for:

Retesting
Improving individual sections
Resolving registration problems
Comparing SAT and ACT performance
Avoiding last-minute stress

Brown superscores, making multiple test attempts potentially useful when different sections improve at different times.

3. Choose Teacher Recommenders Carefully

Brown requires two teacher recommendations from major academic subjects.

Choose teachers who can describe more than the grade you received.

A strong recommendation might explain:

Intellectual curiosity
Discussion skills
Problem solving
Creativity
Collaboration
Persistence
Academic growth
Written communication

Specific observations are more helpful than generic praise.

4. Understand the Open Curriculum

Brown’s educational structure is distinctive.

The Open Curriculum gives students unusual control over the undergraduate academic path.

Applicants should understand that flexibility before writing Brown-specific essays.

A strong Brown application may communicate:

What the student wants to explore
Why multiple disciplines connect
How independence affects their learning
What intellectual questions excite them
How they might use curricular freedom responsibly

5. Don’t Manufacture Extracurricular Activities

A student does not need to create an artificial nonprofit simply because they believe Brown expects one.

Meaningful activities might include:

Employment
Family responsibilities
Research
Athletics
Coding
Art
Community service
Music
Journalism
Entrepreneurship
School organizations
Debate
Volunteer work

Depth and authenticity are more useful than filling every activity slot without meaningful involvement.

6. Use Essays to Reveal Something New

Brown’s essays are highly personal.

Use them to show information that is not obvious from:

GPA
SAT score
Awards
Activities list

Brown’s current prompts give applicants opportunities to discuss:

Learning
Background
Community contribution
Teaching
Joy

These are opportunities to show personality and intellectual curiosity.

Common Brown Application Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking Brown Is Test-Optional

Brown requires SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2027 first-year applicants.

Mistake 2: Using January 1 as the Regular Decision Deadline

Brown’s current Regular Decision deadline is:

January 5, 2027.

Mistake 3: Treating Early Decision as Nonbinding

Brown ED is binding.

Mistake 4: Assuming Tuition Is the Complete Cost

Tuition is currently $74,568, but Brown’s total 2026–27 budget is approximately $99,984 before some personal costs.

Mistake 5: Assuming Every Family Pays $99,984

Brown’s need-based scholarships can dramatically reduce a qualifying family’s actual net price.

Mistake 6: Searching for Brown Merit Scholarships

Brown does not offer institutional academic or athletic merit scholarships.

Mistake 7: Completing FAFSA but Forgetting CSS Profile

Domestic applicants seeking institutional Brown aid generally need both.

Mistake 8: Thinking Brown Is Need-Aware for International Students

That information is now outdated for new first-year applicants.

Brown’s current first-year international admissions policy is need-blind.

Brown University Admissions 2027 Timeline

August–September 2026

Create the Common Application.
Add Brown University.
Review Brown’s four required essays.
Request teacher recommendations.
Request counselor materials.
Prepare SAT or ACT testing.
Research financial aid.
Gather family tax and financial records.

October 1, 2026

Brown’s 2027–28 CSS Profile becomes available according to the university’s current financial aid instructions.

Early applicants should begin financial aid forms immediately rather than waiting until November.

November 1, 2026

Early Decision application deadline.

November 2, 2026

Early Decision CSS Profile deadline.

Early Decision FAFSA deadline.

Mid-December 2026

Early Decision results generally released.

Admitted students should carefully review the Brown financial aid award.

January 5, 2027

Regular Decision application deadline.

February 1, 2027

Regular Decision CSS Profile deadline.

Regular Decision FAFSA deadline.

Early April 2027

Regular Decision admission decisions generally released.

April 2027

Admitted students should compare:

Brown University Scholarship
Federal grants
Outside scholarships
Family contribution
Student contribution
Housing
Meals
Travel
Optional loans
Competing college financial aid packages

May 1, 2027

Admitted Regular Decision students’ enrollment reply deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Admissions 2027

What is Brown’s Early Decision deadline for Fall 2027?

The Early Decision deadline is:

November 1, 2026.

What is Brown’s Regular Decision deadline?

The Regular Decision deadline is:

January 5, 2027.

Is Brown Early Decision binding?

Yes. Students admitted through Brown’s Early Decision program are expected to enroll and withdraw other pending applications.

Does Brown require SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2027?

Yes. Brown requires either SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants.

Is there a minimum SAT score for Brown?

No. Brown says it does not have a minimum required standardized test score.

What is Brown’s latest SAT range?

For the Class of 2030, Brown reports a middle 50% SAT range of approximately:

1470–1550.

What is Brown’s ACT range?

Brown reports a middle 50% ACT range of:

34–36 for the latest Class of 2030 statistics.

Does Brown superscore?

Yes. Brown accepts Score Choice and superscores SAT and ACT results.

What is Brown’s application fee?

The current first-year application fee is:

$80.

Does Brown use the Common Application?

Yes. Brown first-year applicants use the Common Application and complete Brown-specific questions.

How much is Brown tuition?

Brown’s confirmed undergraduate tuition for 2026–27 is:

$74,568.

What is Brown’s total cost of attendance?

Brown’s estimated direct and indirect student budget for 2026–27 is approximately:

$99,984, before some individual expenses.

Is Brown tuition-free for families under $125,000?

Brown states that families earning $125,000 or less with typical assets can receive scholarships covering full tuition.

What aid does Brown provide below $60,000 income?

Brown says qualifying families earning below $60,000 with typical assets can receive scholarship assistance covering tuition, room, board, books and other major expenses.

Does Brown offer merit scholarships?

No. Brown’s institutional undergraduate aid is based on financial need rather than academic, athletic or other merit.

Does Brown meet 100% of demonstrated financial need?

Yes. Brown says it meets 100% of each student’s demonstrated financial need.

Does Brown include student loans in financial aid awards?

Brown does not package loans in its undergraduate financial aid awards under the Brown Promise.

What is Brown’s FAFSA code?

Brown University’s federal FAFSA code is:

003401.

What is Brown’s CSS Profile code?

Brown’s CSS Profile code is:

3189.

What is Brown’s Early Decision financial aid deadline?

For Fall 2027:

November 2, 2026.

What is Brown’s Regular Decision financial aid deadline?

For Fall 2027:

February 1, 2027.

Is Brown need-blind for U.S. students?

Yes. Brown uses need-blind admission for first-year U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented applicants and DACA students.

Is Brown need-blind for international students?

Yes. New first-year international undergraduate applicants are now considered under Brown’s need-blind admission policy.

Does Brown provide financial aid to international students?

Yes. Brown says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students under its current first-year policy.

Does Brown offer merit scholarships to international students?

No. International undergraduate aid is need-based.

What is Brown’s latest acceptance rate?

Brown’s latest admissions statistics page reports:

47,944 applications

2,688 admits

and a:

5.6% acceptance rate

for the Class of 2030.

Final Thoughts

Brown University Admissions 2027 combines extremely competitive admissions with one of the strongest need-based financial aid programs among U.S. universities.

Fall 2027 applicants should remember the two primary admission deadlines:

November 1, 2026 — Early Decision

January 5, 2027 — Regular Decision

Brown’s Early Decision program is binding, so students should use it only when Brown is genuinely their first choice.

Another major point is standardized testing.

Unlike Northwestern, Duke, Columbia and several other universities that have recently offered test-optional pathways, Brown currently requires first-year applicants to submit either:

SAT or ACT scores.

The university has no official minimum score and evaluates test performance in context.

Brown’s latest Class of 2030 profile reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1470–1550 and ACT range of 34–36.

Financial planning is equally important.

Brown’s confirmed 2026–27 tuition is:

$74,568

while the total direct-and-indirect student budget is approximately:

$99,984.

However, a student should never assume that $99,984 represents their personal cost.

Brown meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Under its current financial aid policies, qualifying families earning $125,000 or less with typical assets can receive full tuition coverage.

Families earning less than $60,000 with typical assets may qualify for scholarships covering tuition, housing, food, books and other major education costs.

Brown also operates the Brown Promise, which means loans are not packaged into undergraduate financial aid awards.

Domestic students seeking aid should prepare:

FAFSA — Brown code 003401

CSS Profile — Brown code 3189

along with requested supporting financial documentation.

For Fall 2027, the major financial aid deadlines are:

November 2, 2026 — Early Decision

February 1, 2027 — Regular Decision

International applicants have another major reason to consider Brown.

Brown now extends need-blind first-year admission to international students and meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international aid recipients.

That differentiates Brown from several highly selective U.S. universities where requesting financial aid can make admission more difficult for international applicants.

Families should therefore evaluate Brown using net price rather than sticker price.

Compare:

Tuition

Total cost of attendance

Brown University Scholarship

Federal grants

Outside scholarships

Expected family contribution

Optional student loans

Final net price

For Fall 2027 applicants, the strongest Brown strategy combines rigorous academic preparation, required SAT or ACT testing, thoughtful Brown-specific essays, strong teacher recommendations and early financial aid planning.

Admission will remain extraordinarily competitive.

But for a student who is admitted and qualifies for substantial need-based assistance, Brown can be far more affordable than its nearly $100,000 advertised annual cost initially suggests.

This guide was checked against Brown University’s official Undergraduate Admission, Office of Financial Aid, Brown News and current 2026–27 university information available in September 2026. Admission requirements, tuition, financial aid rules and deadlines can change. Applicants should verify final requirements directly with Brown before submitting applications or making financial commitments.