Brown University vs Cornell: Which is a better Ivy League?

Brown University vs Cornell University

Brown University is a high Ivy League private research university in Providence, Rhode Island. It has a very selective admissions policy with an overall acceptance rate of roughly 5%.Brown's student body is relatively small (nearly 2,600 admitted each year) and distinguished by its Open Curriculum, creating space for flexibility and student-led inquiry. Longitudinal data indicate that Brown graduates average $87,600 (circa INR 72,00,000).

Cornell University is another Ivy League private research university based in Ithaca, New York. For the 2028 class, Cornell's overall acceptance rate stands at approximately 8%. Cornell has a bigger admitted class and wider academic portfolio. Ten years after enrollment, graduates have an average salary of $98,400 (approx. INR 80,00,000).

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Brown UniversityCornell University
Collegedunia Score6.7 sfHSI/7.9 sfHSI/
CtVgo0# 66 QS World University 2027
# 73 Times Higher Education 2027
# 42 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 16 QS World University 2027
# 21 Times Higher Education 2027
# 13 US News 2026
Subject Strength# 82 sQv06Y Engineering Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 51 sQv06Y Data Science and Analytics Vi2Pqx QS World University 2025
# 63 sQv06Y Medicine Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 21 sQv06Y Engineering Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 15 sQv06Y Data Science and Analytics Vi2Pqx QS World University 2025
# 26 sQv06Y Medicine Vi2Pqx QS World University 2026
ProgramsK6FNSL -59
+BcTMq -26
uAFC26 -7
K6FNSL -59
+BcTMq -55
uAFC26 -69
Acceptance Rate5.0 %8.0 %
Cost to Study78XRnV   59254
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78XRnV  59254
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4fro2k + zNMGDV - 9774 j5deyA
78XRnV   96268
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78XRnV  54198
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Brown University is one of the top private universities in Providence, United States. It is ranked #63 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

It ranks #55 in the graduate employability rank

Brown University Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By  Degree

  • Doctorate: $148,000 
  • Bachelor of Science: $128,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts: $115,000 
  • PhD: $69,000 

Cornell University is one of the top private universities in Ithaca, United States. It is ranked #20 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

  • Doctorate : $168,000 
  • Masters in Finance : $150,000 
  • MBA : $145,000 
  • Executive MBA: $139,000 
  • Masters in Science : $123,000 
  • PhD : $120,000 


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School Report; Counsellor’s recommendation for UG admission; Letters of Recommendation; Writing Sample

Counselor recommendation, teacher evaluation, and midyear evaluations are mandatory along with the applications. 

Campuses and B-SchoolsROCsnNJohnson Graduate School of Management
CollegeDunia Reviews8.4/10 FlUcco7.7/10 FlUcco

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ranking# 37 sQv06Y Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 351 sQv06Y Business by QS World University 2025
# 18 sQv06Y Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 37 sQv06Y Business by QS World University 2025
application-#1535 bJZm1W
# 282 hPqZrl
# 18 7Aoied
sjq1dkGMAT - 700/800IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 105/120Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 5/6
cost to studyMr9UejMr9Uej119994
documents requiredF4a/y1F4a/y1
application datesJul 13, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline 1 for 2027 Intake)
Sep 15, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline 2 for 2027 Intake)
Nov 2, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline 3 for 2027 Intake)
Dec 7, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline 4 for 2027 Intake)
Jan 18, 2027 (Final Application Deadline for 2027 Intake)
Apr 7, 2026 (Application Dedaline for Round 3 2026 Intake)
Sep 17, 2026 (Application Dedaline for Round 1 2026 Intake)
Jan 8, 2027 (Application Dedaline for Round 2 2027 Intake)
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H1MbuoBrown UniversityCornell University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1764
1865
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Te91jv464+HGqC, 54MEcsHM484+HGqC, 52MEcsHM
Location Facts

Campus is located in College Hill and Jewelry District; Main campus is situated on the east side of Campus Hill and has 235 buildings


University has 6 campuses; Main campus is located in Ithaca, New York; Other campuses are in Roosevelt Island, Qatar, Geneva, Washington DC and Rome


Library

One of the USA’s oldest library; has 6 million items including bound volumes, periodicals, maps, sheet music, digital objects, manuscripts, and electronic resources; 6 libraries ie. John D. Rockefeller Jr Library for humanities and social science, Science Library, John Hay Library for special collections, Orwig Music Library, Art Slide Library and Library Collections Annex


11th largest library in USA; Over 8 million printed volumes, 1 million ebooks, 120,000 periodical titles, 8.5 million microfilms and microfiches, 71,000 cubic feet of manuscripts, 500,000 other materials such as motion pictures, sound recordings, etc. 


Campus Life

38 varsity sports team having more than 900 student-athletes; Over 400 student organizations including Capella groups and community services, 4100 intramural sports participants and 60 public service groups; Main campus centuries-old-structures, labs and world-class ibraries


Over 1,000 student organizations; awards and funding by Student and Campus Life (SCL) such as Cornell Commitment, Public Service Center, Cornell Career Services, Merrill Presidential Scholars Program, etc. 


Hostel#On campus - $9774
#Triple Room - $11312
#Double Room - $12296
#Single Room - $13246
Famous Alumni

John Hay (US Secretary of State); Charles Evans Hughes (Chief Justice and US Secretary of State); John D Rockefeller Jr (philanthropist); Jim Yong Kim (World Bank President); Ted Turner (CNN founder and America’s Cup yachtsman); Dara Khosroswshahi (Uber CEO); Emma Watson (actress); Mary Chapin Carpenter (humorist); Samuel Gridley Howe (historian)


Tsai Ing-wen (first female president of Taiwan), David Starr Jordan (founding president of Stanford University), Ratan Tata (CEO of Tata Group), Toni Morrison (Nobel laureate), Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize winner)


City Life

Providence is the capital city of Rhode Island; Originally was known as Providence Plantations; One of the first industrialized cities in the USA; known for textile manufacturing, machine tool, jewelry, and silverware industries; Unemployment rate was 4.1% in January 2020


New York was ranked 34th in USA for economic growth and contributes over 8% to GDP. Financial activities, professional & business services, transportation, trade & utilities are the top contributors. 


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Brown University vs Cornell University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both Cornell and Brown belong to the Ivy League, although their worldwide position varies. Cornell is usually placed in the 20th range globally, known for its range in engineering, computer science, business, hotel administration, agriculture, and life sciences. Brown is placed approximately 58th world ranking globally, with clear strengths in humanities, social sciences, applied mathematics, economics, and liberal arts. Cornell has greater international renown, though Brown is especially noted for its distinctive intellectual ethos and emphasis on interdepartmental liberal arts.

General Information

Brown University, founded in 1764 in Providence, Rhode Island, is home to about 11,000 students, known for its Open Curriculum that allows undergraduates to design their own courses of study with only a few requirements.Cornell University, which was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is one of the largest Ivies with over 25,000 students. It is private and public in character, with professional schools such as Agriculture & Life Sciences and Industrial & Labor Relations being funded by the state, hence being diverse academically.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Both universities are extremely selective. Brown has an acceptance rate of approximately 5%, drawing students who appreciate flexibility, creativity, and cross-disciplinary study.Cornell's acceptance rate is a bit more relaxed, at about 8%, with students attracted by its wide academic diversity and excellent STEM status.

Impact & Facilities of Research

Cornell is a research giant, with large labs, professional schools, and one of the biggest academic libraries in the United States. Its impact is particularly notable in engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and computer science.
Brown is slightly smaller in size but boasts strong research in biomedicine, applied mathematics, neuroscience, and public policy, in addition to strong emphasis on undergraduate participation in research.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both are costly private schools with tuition of approximately USD 65,000–67,000 annually.
Both Brown and Cornell offer need-blind admissions to U.S. students and generous need-based aid, with strong international student support as well.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Cornell graduates are particularly well represented in engineering, business, agriculture, law, and academia, with robust networks in finance, technology, and hospitality.
Brown graduates are well represented in politics, arts, media, and academia, with students frequently seeking creative, policy-oriented, or interdisciplinary professional paths. Cornell's alumni network is greater and more STEM/business-driven, while Brown's graduates are strongly connected to social and cultural leadership.