Several national and international rankings have recognized Brown as being a top university, including the just-released U.S. News & World report list of “America’s Best Colleges,” which placed Brown 14th among the Best National Universities. Brown was also recognized on other surveys for its academic strength, undergraduate teaching, financial aid, life-after-college preparation, and student offerings.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Reflecting the strength of the University’s innovative approach to teaching, generous financial aid, and distinctive student experience, Brown has placed among top colleges and universities in national and international rankings released this year.

In the 2016 “America’s Best Colleges,” released by U.S. News & World Report today, Brown ranked No. 14 in the Best National Universities category. The University also was named No. 3 among national universities for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News, No. 10 on the “Best Value Schools” list, and appeared on lists of the top 25 national universities for economic diversity and proportion of international undergraduates. The ranking also listed Brown among the best engineering programs at schools where the highest degree is a doctorate.

In other rankings released within the last year, the University ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ list of 650 undergraduate institutions in “America’s Top Colleges for 2015” and fifth among research universities. Brown ranked No. 28 among all national colleges and universities on Kiplinger’s “Best College Values” list, and 13th among private colleges; and Brown appeared in the unranked Princeton Review’s “The Best 380 Colleges – 2016 Edition,” as well as its lists for best career placement, “Best Colleges that Pay You Back,” “Best Colleges that Pay You Back — Without Aid,” and guide to Green Colleges, recognizing sustainability efforts.

Internationally, Brown, placed 75th in the Times Higher Education’s “World University Rankings 2015,” and 75th in the 2015 “Academic Ranking of World Universities,” a list of the 500 top schools in the world compiled by the Center for World-Class Universities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

“While no ranking or formula-based listing can truly capture what a college or university offers, Brown is pleased to be recognized consistently for the University’s academic strength and educational innovation that emphasizes close interactions between students and faculty,” Brown officials said. “In addition, the recognition of Brown’s need-blind approach to financial aid, focus on preparation for life beyond college, and distinctive approach to the overall student experience aligns with strengths of a Brown education that have long been priorities for the University.”

At Brown, undergraduates have the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty who are leaders in their fields, both in the classroom and through supported research opportunities. The Brown Curriculum gives students the freedom to design their own paths of study, and the University’s “Building on Distinction” strategic plan, launched in 2014, has heralded increased opportunities for students to bridge theory and practice during their time at Brown.

In addition, by expanding access to internships, research opportunities, and the worldwide Brown alumni community, the University’s BrownConnect program is a primary resource aimed at helping students enhance their on-campus learning and enabling them to make better, more informed choices after graduation.

Brown is committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduates to ensure that students have access to these opportunities, regardless of their financial situation. Since the matriculation of the Class of 2007, all domestic undergraduates admitted as freshmen have been admitted under the University’s need-blind admission policy.

“The various rankings released every year showcasing Brown’s initiatives offer students a glimpse of our programs,” Brown officials said, “but as always, we encourage prospective students and their families to take full advantage of resources offered by Brown and other colleges and universities to identify schools that are the best match for their talents and interests.”

Among other rankings:

  • Business Insider placed Brown at No. 18 among colleges nationally on its “50 Best Colleges in America” list, citing Brown as a “leading research university, with more than 40 specific centers of study, creating a plethora of opportunities for students to get involved with research projects.” In a survey of hiring managers that Business Insider conducted as part of its 2015 college rankings, Brown also placed No. 22 among 25 schools that best prepare students for success after graduation.
  • Brown placed 52nd among 700 schools worldwide on the QS World University Rankings.
  • PayScale’s annual college salary report ranked the University 15th among “Best Value Colleges” on its “2015 College ROI Report,” and several other independent rankings based on this data likewise gave the University top marks in providing value to its graduates.
  • The University placed 16th on the New York Times’ most recent list of the “Most Economically Diverse Top Colleges,” (released in September of 2014), derived from a formula based on the proportion of low-income undergraduates — those who receive federal Pell Grants — and the net price (what students actually pay as opposed to sticker price) paid by students with family incomes of $30,000 to $48,000.
  • Brown also was recognized on numerous other rankings for aspects of the educational experience that include public service; the quality of its dining services; and the high number of students selected for the Teach for America national corps of teachers who work in underserved communities.