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).
| Brown University | Cornell University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.7 Out of 10 | 7.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 69 QS World University 2026 # 58 Times Higher Education 2025 # 71 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 16 QS World University 2026 # 14 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 16 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 90 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 116 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 12 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 15 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 31 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -59 PG Programs -26 Doctorate Programs -7 | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -70 Doctorate Programs -78 |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.0 % | 8.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-8 SAT-1500 TOEFL-100 | GMAT-720 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1400 TOEFL-82 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 59254 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 59254 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 9774 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 58586 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20800 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 37534 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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
| Cornell University is one of the top private universities in Ithaca, United States. It is ranked #20 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| application requirements | 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-Schools | NA | Johnson Graduate School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.9/10 Read 2 reviews | 7.7/10 Read 11 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 37 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 18 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 37 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | - | #1535 Applicants # 282 Admissions # 18 % Acceptance Rate |
| exam scores | GMAT - 700/800IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -94000 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Dec 8, 2024 (Priority Review 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Nov 3, 2025 (Priority Review 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Feb 19, 2026 (Final Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) | Sep 17, 2025 (Application Deadline) Jan 8, 2026 (Application Deadline) Jan 23, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) Apr 7, 2026 (Application Deadline) Apr 24, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) Jun 5, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Brown University | Cornell University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1764 | 1865 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| 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 - $13926 |
| 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. |
| Weather |
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.
