Please review all the information to better understand costs at Brown and the allowances that are estimated and used in determining an aid applicant’s demonstrated financial need. Be aware that direct or billed charges may change based on a student’s enrollment status, housing and/or meal plan selection, or fees related to program or other institutionally available options.
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance
2025-26 Academic Year
These figures represent the estimated costs for an incoming first-year full time student for the academic year, including the fall and spring semesters (see chart below for additional situations):
| Direct/Billed Charges | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $71,700 |
| Fees (includes $100 Academic record fee for first time students) | $2,950 |
| Housing | $10,410 |
| Food | $8,104 |
| Subtotal - Direct Charges | $93,164 |
| Indirect Estimated Expenses | |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $2,820 |
| Total Direct and Indirect Charges | $95,984 |
Individual Expenses
Additional individual expenses not included in the Cost of Attendance may include: clothing for the New England climate, computer expenses, additional trips home during the academic year, etc.
Additional Situations
Depending on a student’s housing/living situation and/or enrollment, allowances within the Cost of Attendance may change. The following chart breaks out the allowances for different living situations.
| Student's Living Situation | Tuition and Fees** | Living Expenses - Housing | Living Expenses - Food | Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | Total |
| Full Time On-Campus | $74,650 | $10,410 | $8,104 | $2,820 | $95,984 |
| Full Time Off-Campus | $74,650 | $10,410 | $8,104 | $2,820 | $95,984 |
Living expenses include allowances for both housing and food. Students attending classes at Brown University, whether living locally off campus or on campus or being charged by Brown for a meal plan or for residential hall or not being charged, are provided the same allowance. These allowances are based on the standard charges for housing and food during the academic year.
**Please refer to Student Financial Services for a breakdown of actual tuition and fee charges.
Regardless of a family’s financial situation, attending college is a major investment. The Cost of Attendance represents a combination of direct charges and estimated indirect expenses. It is important to plan for these.
Direct or Billed Costs
Direct or billed costs are charges billed directly to student accounts (bills) each semester such as tuition, mandatory fees, and room and meals.
Indirect Estimated Costs
Indirect estimated costs do not appear on student accounts (bills) and vary based on the individual student. These costs include books, personal expenses and possibly travel. Students may experience different levels of indirect expenses; however, the values listed represent allowances provided for the academic year.
Required Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
Most University Scholarship eligible students will be part of the Book/Course Materials Support (BCMS) Program; all books and required course materials are covered by the University and are obtained at the Brown Bookstore at no cost to the student. Therefore, a books & materials expense is not included as part of the Cost of Attendance (COA) in the financial aid offer. BCMS does not cover the cost of electronic items, however, if these are purchased for educational purposes, a representative from the Office of Financial Aid will be able to discuss the possibility of financing options. For those students who are not part of the program, the standard allowance of $1,300 is the estimated cost of books & materials and is included in the COA.
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
The standard allowance is based on estimated costs incurred for personal expenses during the academic year including clothing, laundry, toiletries, cell phone expenses, entertainment, additional educationally-related supplies, and other incidentals. The allowance can serve as a planning tool to help students determine how much money to have available for these expenses. Please be aware that no allowance is provided for students attending less-than half time.
Transportation
An allowance for travel will be included in the Cost of Attendance based on a student’s home address. Students are responsible for all aspects of booking and paying for travel to and from Brown. To pay for travel up front, students are expected to use a portion of the funds they earn over the summer, as well as funds that are earned throughout the academic year as part of a student’s on or off campus employment.
Student Health Insurance Plan and Other Individual Expenses
A student’s health and other individual expenses are not included in the Cost of Attendance. For example, students are required to have health insurance while attending Brown. If a student does not waive the University's health insurance plan, the Cost of Attendance will include an additional component for this charge. Other additional individual expenses may include: clothing for the local climate, computer purchase, additional trips home during the academic year, etc.
There are other expenses that may be included in the Cost of Attendance which can be added to allow for loan eligibility. You should speak with someone in the Office of Financial Aid to discuss possible funding options. These expenses include the higher cost of a study abroad program, disability-related expenses, federal student loan fees, and costs for professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential. Please be aware that timing of loan processing is limited towards the end of a semester; generally, loans are not able to be processed within the last two weeks of the semester that a student is enrolled and seeking loan funds.
Students with child/dependent care expenses should review the information for child care support. Students who do not qualify for this support or who have additional expenses beyond the support, should speak with a representative in the Office of Financial Aid to discuss financing options.