42 Interesting Facts about Brown University

Dan March 12, 2023

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university, which is a group of eight prestigious universities in the northeastern United States, located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1764 and is one of the oldest colleges in the United States. Brown has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,000 students and offers more than 80 undergraduate majors, as well as graduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Brown’s distinctive academic approach is characterized by its “open curriculum,” which allows students to design their own course of study without specific distribution requirements.

The campus is spread over 140 acres and is located in the heart of Providence, which is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. Brown has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its student body represents all 50 states and more than 115 countries. Brown has a need-blind admission policy, which means that applicants are admitted regardless of their ability to pay, and the university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.

Brown is renowned for its academic excellence, research prowess, and distinguished faculty members, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur “genius” grant recipients. Its research facilities and resources are top-notch, and the university collaborates with a variety of research centers and institutes, including the Alpert Medical School, the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and the Brown Institute for Brain Science. Brown is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the United States and the world, and its alumni include numerous prominent figures in various fields, including politics, business, arts, and sciences.

It’s surely a good idea to look at interesting facts about Brown University to know more about this Ivy League research university.

1. Brown University was founded in 1764 in Warren, Rhode Island, as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
2. It is the seventh-oldest college in the United States.
3. The university is named after Nicholas Brown Jr., a philanthropist and member of the Brown family, who donated funds to the institution in the early 19th century.
4. The university’s official color is brown, and its mascot is a bear named Bruno.
5. Brown University has produced eight Nobel laureates, five Pulitzer Prize winners, and numerous MacArthur “genius” grant recipients.
6. The university has more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 115 countries.
7. Brown has a need-blind admission policy, which means that applicants are admitted regardless of their ability to pay.
8. Brown’s acceptance rate for the class of 2025 was 5.4%.
9. Brown has a distinctive academic approach known as the “open curriculum,” which allows students to design their own course of study without specific distribution requirements.
10. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1.
11. Brown has a large number of research centers and institutes, including the Alpert Medical School, the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and the Brown Institute for Brain Science.
12. Brown is home to the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, which has a collection of more than 1 million objects from around the world.
13. The university’s John Carter Brown Library has one of the largest collections of early Americana in the world.
14. Brown has a strong commitment to sustainability and has been recognized as one of the greenest universities in the United States.
15. The university has more than 400 student organizations, including cultural clubs, sports teams, and academic societies.
16. Brown’s athletic teams are known as the Bears and compete in NCAA Division I.
17. The university has a rich tradition in rowing, and its crew team has won numerous national championships.
18. Brown has produced several prominent political figures, including former United States Senator Jack Reed and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.
19. The university’s Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women has been a pioneer in women’s studies since the 1980s.
20. Brown has a large number of international students, and the university offers extensive support for students studying abroad.
21. The university has a large number of first-generation college students, and the Brown First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center provides support and resources for these students.
22. Brown has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and has implemented a number of initiatives to promote these values.
23. The university has a large number of notable alumni, including journalist Anderson Cooper, actress Emma Watson, and writer Jeffrey Eugenides.
24. Brown’s John Hay Library has a collection of more than 13 million rare books and manuscripts.
25. The university’s Granoff Center for the Creative Arts is a state-of-the-art facility that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty.
26. Brown has a large number of active student-run theater groups, including the Brown University Gilbert and Sullivan Society and Production Workshop.
27. The university’s campus is home to several notable pieces of public art, including “Untitled (Lamp/Bear),” a sculpture by artist Urs Fischer.
28. Brown’s Department of Egyptology and Assyriology is one of the oldest and most respected in the world.
29. The university has a large number of renowned faculty members, including feminist philosopher Judith Butler and historian Gordon S. Wood.
30. Brown has a large number of sustainability initiatives, including a comprehensive composting program and an on-campus farmers’ market.
31. The university has a large number of student-run publications, including the Brown Daily Herald and the Brown Political Review.
32. Brown’s John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage promotes public engagement with the humanities.
33. The university’s Rockefeller Library has a collection of more than 6 million books and journals.
34. Brown has a large number of renowned research centers, including the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society and the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice.
35. The university has a large number of interdisciplinary programs, including the Program in Science and Technology Studies and the Program in Urban Studies.
36. Brown has a strong commitment to community service, and the Swearer Center for Public Service offers a wide range of opportunities for students to engage in volunteer work.
37. The university has a large number of notable alumni in the arts, including composer Philip Glass and actress Laura Linney.
38. Brown’s Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences is one of the most respected in the world.
39. The university’s Department of Computer Science is consistently ranked as one of the best in the United States.
40. Brown has a large number of student-run a cappella groups, including the Brown Derbies and the Brown Ursa Minors.
41. The university’s Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning provides resources and support for faculty members.
42. Brown has a large number of renowned graduate programs, including the Brown School of Public Health and the Brown University Graduate School.

Brown University is a highly respected institution of higher learning with a rich history and a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. From its renowned faculty and interdisciplinary programs to its active student organizations and public art installations, Brown offers a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment for students from all backgrounds. With a focus on critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility, Brown prepares its graduates to make a positive impact on the world and to pursue fulfilling careers and lives.