Brown University: Tuition, Fees, Cost of Attendance, and Financial Aid

Paying for college can feel like navigating a maze, especially at top-tier schools like Brown University. We guide students through the full financial picture so they can make confident decisions about applying to schools like Brown. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are the Undergraduate Tuition and Fees at Brown University?

Here’s a full breakdown of the estimated cost of attendance for one academic year:

What Does the Total Cost Include for Undergraduates?

“Cost of Attendance include (Tuition, Room and Board, Transportation, Books and Supplies, Personal/Miscellaneous)”

– Reddit

The COA includes both billed and estimated costs:

• Tuition and required fees
• Housing and meal plan
• Books and academic supplies
• Travel and personal expenses

These estimates are used to calculate financial aid. Even if you don’t pay for every category (say, you live at home), Brown still uses the full number when building your aid package.

How Do Room and Boards Factor into the Cost of Attendance?

Here’s how that figure typically breaks down:

What Are the Estimated Costs for Textbooks and Supplies?

For the 2025-2026 academic year at Brown University, the estimated cost for textbooks and supplies is $1,350. This estimate includes:

• Required textbooks and course packs
• Lab materials or access codes for certain classes
• General academic supplies like notebooks, pens, software, or printing

Actual costs may vary depending on a student’s major. For example, STEM and economics students often report higher expenses due to specialized materials or digital tools. Students in the humanities might spend less if professors assign open-source or library-accessible readings.

Brown encourages students to lower these costs by:

• Renting or buying used textbooks from the Brown Bookstore
• Using the Bruin Access program to borrow materials from the university library
• Searching for discounted or digital versions of required texts
• Sharing materials or splitting costs with classmates when possible

What Financial Aid Options are Available at Brown University?

Here are the key financial aid options available:

Students are not required to take out loans under any Brown aid policy. However, families may still choose to borrow to cover their expected contribution or optional expenses like off-campus housing or study abroad.

How Can Students Apply for Financial Aid?

Brown gives need-based aid, so full financial info is required. To apply for financial aid, U.S. students must complete these steps:

1. Submit the CSS Profile:

• Website: cssprofile.org
• School code: 3189
• Needed for Brown aid
• Deadlines: Nov 1 (Early Decision), Feb 1 (Regular Decision)

2. Submit the FAFSA:

• Website: studentaid.gov
• School code: 003401
• Needed for federal aid (like Pell Grants, Work-Study)
• Same deadlines as the CSS Profile

3. Upload Tax Documents to IDOC:

• After sending the CSS Profile, use the College Board’s IDOC system
• Upload federal tax returns, W-2s, and income info

4. Check the Brown Financial Aid Portal.

International students don’t submit the FAFSA. They must send the CSS Profile and country-specific financial documents.

How Does Brown University Support Students with Loans?

Brown University no longer includes student loans in its standard financial aid. In 2018, the “Brown Promise”replaces loans with grants and scholarships that don’t need to be repaid. Work-study is also optional.

If students still want to borrow, Brown provides guidance, not loans. The Financial Aid Office helps students explore:

• Federal Direct Loans (through FAFSA)
• Parent PLUS Loans
• Private loans from outside lenders

Borrowing is never required to cover financial need. Brown offers tools to compare loans, create budgets, and meet with advisors to understand loan impact.

Brown also runs financial wellness programs to help students manage money and make smart choices after graduation. The no-loan policy supports affordability, especially for low- and middle-income families.

What Types of Loans Are Available for Brown University Students?

For U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens:

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal Parent PLUS Loan
• Private Education Loans.

For international students: private loans with the U.S. Co-Signer.

Brown’s Office of Financial Aid does not recommend any specific lenders but provides resources for comparing options. Students are encouraged to exhaust federal loans before turning to private ones due to typically lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options.

How Can Students Manage Loan Repayment after Graduation?

“Personally my advice would be to just focus on getting your finances squared away – build a 6 month emergency fund, build a savings, get your retirement and stuff figured out, go see a dentist/doctor, etc., and just pay the minimum on your loans until you’re all set up in a good spot”

– Reddit

If you take out loans while at Brown University, you can manage repayment after graduation using federal tools, your loan servicer’s website, and Brown’s support programs. Here are key tips:

• Know your loan servicer
• Track your loans
• Pick a repayment plan
• Consider loan consolidation
• Set up autopay
• Stay in touch with your lender
• Use loan simulators

Brown also offers financial workshops and one-on-one help so students can prepare for repayment before graduation.

What Are the Average Student Loan Amounts for Undergraduates at Brown?

Brown University’s financial aid policy, known as the Brown Promise, eliminates loans from all undergraduate aid packages. Instead of loans, students receive scholarships that do not need to be repaid. As a result, many students graduate with little or no debt.

Still, some families choose to borrow for various reasons—such as covering the expected family contribution or out-of-pocket expenses not included in aid packages. Here’s a look at the average borrowing numbers:

Can Students Customize Their Meal Plans at Brown University?

Yes, students at Brown University can customize their meal plans to fit their schedules and campus lifestyle. All undergraduates living on campus are required to have a meal plan, but within that requirement, there’s flexibility in how students use their dining access.

Meal plan options range from unlimited access plans to block-style options that provide a set number of meals per semester. Each plan includes a combination of:

• Meal credits: used for entry to dining halls like the Sharpe Refectory or Verney-Woolley
• Flex Points: a declining balance usable at campus cafes, eateries, and vending machines
• Guest meals: limited entries for friends or family

Here’s a sample comparison of available undergraduate plans for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Are There Flexibility Options for Dietary Restrictions in Meal Plans?

Yes, Brown University offers flexible meal plans for students with different diets and health needs. Key features:

• Allergy-Friendly Zones: Special food stations avoid the top 9 allergens and gluten. Look for the “Simple Servings” area in dining halls.
• Kosher and Halal Meals: Kosher food is served daily at Sharpe Refectory, and Halal options are available across campus.
• Vegan and Vegetarian Meals: Every dining spot offers plant-based meals, and menus rotate regularly.
• Nutrition Appointments: Students can meet with a registered dietitian to get a custom food plan.
• Ingredient Info: Use the MyMeal app or website to see ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts for each meal.

To request formal support, students can send documents to the Office of Student Accessibility Services or talk to a dining manager. Brown works to make sure all students can eat safely and comfortably.

Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist

Sources: Brown University, Reddit