Brown University Acceptance Rate: Early Decision VS Regular Decision Trends

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Brown University Early Decision Acceptance Rate for Class of 2030

Brown University offers 2 application cycles for undergraduate admissions.

1. Early decision (November 1, each year): For students who seek admission offers by December for the following fall intake.
2. Regular decision (January 5, each year): For students who can wait till early April for admission decisions for the same year’s fall intake.

As per the reports published by The Brown Daily Herald (student-run newspaper of the university), Brown’s early decision acceptance stands at 16.5% for the class of 2030 (students entering in fall 2026). Brown’s Class of 2030 is slightly more selective than last year’s Class of 2029, which had a 17.9% ED acceptance rate. However, it remains less selective than the Class of 2027, which recorded Brown’s lowest ED acceptance rate at 13%.

Note: Regular decision (RD) application statistics for Fall 2026 will be published later in March-April 2026.

Read the differences between Early decision, Regular decision, and Early action application rounds in USA.

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Brown University Acceptance Rate Trends

Based on the application types, here are the trends of Brown University’s acceptance rate over the last 3 years.

Brown University Overall Acceptance Rate Trend

As per the details published by Brown University, a 3-year overall acceptance rate trend is as follows.

Trend:

• Applications peaked in Fall 2023 and declined steadily through Fall 2025, signaling post-pandemic normalization.
• The number of admitted students has fallen each year, keeping class sizes tightly controlled.
• Acceptance rates remain below 6% across all cycles, confirming extreme selectivity.
• The slight rise to 5.65% in Fall 2025 reflects fewer applicants, not easier admissions.
• Overall, competition remains Ivy League-level intense despite lower application volumes.

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Brown University Early Decision Acceptance Rate Trend

• Early Decision (ED) applications declined steadily from Fall 2023 to Fall 2025.
• The number of ED admits remained relatively stable each year, showing controlled intake.
• ED acceptance rates rose sharply to 17.94% in Fall 2025 from 13.02% in Fall 2023.
• The higher ED admit rate reflects lower applicant volume, not reduced selectivity.

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Brown University Regular Decision Acceptance Rate Trend

Brown University’s regular decision (RD) acceptance rate also shows a similar trend to early decision (ED) rates.

• Declining application and admitted students numbers.
• Stable admits to maintain small classes.

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Brown University International Acceptance Rate Trend

Brown University publishes separate statistics on international application trends. Based on the official publications, Brown’s international acceptance rate trend is tabulated below.

Trend:

• International applications rose slightly from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024, indicating sustained global interest in Brown.
• The number of international admits increased year-on-year, despite intense competition.
• International acceptance rate improved to 4.3% in Fall 2024 from 3.76% in Fall 2023.
• Even with the uptick, international admissions remain more selective than overall intake.

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Brown University’s latest admissions data confirms a consistent pattern: selectivity at Brown is deliberate and structurally maintained, not driven by short-term fluctuations in applicant numbers.

1. Academic excellence is non-negotiable: With 95% of admitted students in the top 10% of their class and SAT mid-50% ranges between 1480-1560, strong board results, and high standardized test scores are baseline expectations.
2. Ultra-selective programs amplify competition: The Brown-RISD Dual Degree and PLME program demonstrate single-digit effective enrollment rates, underscoring how niche, interdisciplinary, or accelerated pathways operate at an even higher level of selectivity.

International acceptance rates, while slightly improving, remain more competitive than the overall rate. It signals that global demand for Brown continues to rise despite limited seats.

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