Head-to-head comparison
Brown University vs. University of Pennsylvania
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Brown or Penn harder to get into?
Brown is harder to get into than Penn. Brown's 5.4% acceptance rate is lower than Penn's 5.4%.
Which is cheaper, Brown or Penn?
Brown costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Brown's average net price is $25,184 vs $28,699 at Penn.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Penn graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $93,487 at Brown and $111,371 at Penn.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Brown | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1570 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,160 | $89,028 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $25,184 | $28,699 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,639 | 10,539 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.7% | 96.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $93,487 | $111,371 |
| Setting | Providence, Rhode Island | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Brown's 5.4% acceptance rate and Penn's 5.4% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Penn graduates earn $17,884 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Brown grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Brown is in Providence, Rhode Island; Penn is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Brown is 50.0% women, 12.7% international, and 22.9% Asian-American. Penn is 55.0% women, 12.6% international, and 28.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Brown | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.0% | 55.0% |
| International | 12.7% | 12.6% |
| White | 32.9% | 27.4% |
| Asian | 22.9% | 28.4% |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.3% |
| Black | 8.2% | 9.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Brown vs. Penn?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Brown if
- Net price matters: Brown costs $3,515 less per year on average
- the Open Curriculum
Pick Penn if
- Your odds are realistic at Penn (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($111,371 vs $93,487)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the One University Policy that lets undergrads take classes across Wharton
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Brown University
5.4% accept · Providence, Rhode Island
Full profile
University of Pennsylvania
5.4% accept · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.