Brown University QS, US News & THE Ranking 2025-26: Global and Subject Trends

Brown University stands out as one of the top Ivy League institutions, consistently securing strong placements globally and nationally. In the U.S. News & World Report 2025, Brown is ranked #13 nationally, highlighting its academic prestige in the U.S.  

On the global stage, the university has made significant strides, reaching #58 in Times Higher Education (2025) and climbing to #69 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, an improvement from previous years. These rankings reflect Brown’s commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and a growing international reputation.  

If you’re considering studying in the USA, Brown University stands out as one of the best universities, offering top-tier programs and a robust academic environment. With its high national and international rankings, Brown University continues to attract students looking for an exceptional education and a lively campus experience. 

Brown University Rankings 2025-26 

Brown University continues to shine in major academic rankings, securing top spots in U.S. News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education. It is also ranked #18 in Most Innovative Schools and #3 in Best Colleges for Veterans, reflecting its dedication to academic innovation and inclusivity.  

Below are some of the Brown University Rankings and accreditations: 

Ranking Agency	2024 Rank	2025 Rank	2026 Rank
QS World University Rankings	#73	#79	#69
Times Higher Education (THE)	#64	#58	TBA
U.S. News & World Report (National Ranking)	#9	#13	#13

Brown University continues to maintain a strong global and national presence across leading ranking agencies. In the QS World University Rankings, Brown slipped slightly from #73 (2024) to #79 (2025), but then recovered significantly to reach #69 in 2026, showing improved international reputation and research output.  

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings placed Brown at #64 in 2024 and #58 in 2025, reflecting progress in teaching quality, citations, and global outlook; the 2026 data is yet to be released.  

Domestically, Brown consistently ranks among the top Ivy League schools in the U.S. News Best National Universities, securing #9 in 2024 and #13 in both 2025 and 2026. These trends highlight Brown’s resilience and growing competitiveness on the world stage. 

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After exploring the rankings of Brown University, let's now take the Brown University Rankings for its subjects. 

Subject-wise Rankings of Brown University 

Brown University offers exceptional bachelor’s and master’s programs across a variety of academic disciplines. Its rankings reflect strengths in areas like humanities, engineering, and social sciences. Brown’s commitment to providing high-quality education is further demonstrated through its range of programs and innovative teaching methods. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, Brown is ranked #129 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie), showcasing its commitment to providing opportunities for diverse students. 

Here's a breakdown of Brown University's subject-wise rankings from top global agencies: 

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 

Brown University has shown consistent strength in subject-specific rankings, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.  

Here is a breakdown of the Brown University’s key program placements in the QS World University Rankings: 

Subject/Field	2023	2024	2025
Economics and Econometrics	#33	#44	#44
English Language and Literature	#50	#=48	#45
Anthropology	#51-100	#=45	#47
Classics and Ancient History	#51-90	#48	#49
Arts and Humanities	#57	#53	#56
Development Studies	#51-100	#51-100	#51-100
Mathematics	#39	#50	#52
History	#51-100	#51-100	#51-100
Sociology	#94	#=77	#53
Psychology	#95	#101-150	#101-150

In Economics and Econometrics, the university maintained stability at #44 in 2024 and 2025, reflecting its strong faculty and research output. English Language and Literature improved from #50 in 2023 to #45 in 2025, while Anthropology advanced into the global top 50, ranking #47 in 2025. Similarly, Classics and Ancient History has consistently held a competitive spot, now at #49 in 2025.  

On the broader scale, Arts and Humanities has remained steady within the top 60 worldwide. While fields like Development Studies and History continue to stay in the #51–100 band, they demonstrate resilience in a competitive global landscape. However, Mathematics saw a slight dip from #39 in 2023 to #52 in 2025, and Psychology remained within the #101–150 range, suggesting areas for further strengthening. Overall, Brown’s subject rankings showcase both stability and gradual progress across key disciplines. 

Shifting from the QS rankings to the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, Brown University continues to excel across multiple disciplines. 

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025 

Brown University has demonstrated notable strengths across several academic programs in the THE subject rankings. Business and Economics made a strong entry in 2025 at #37, highlighting Brown’s rising influence in the field.  

Here is a breakdown of the Brown University’s courses in the 2025 THE rankings: 

Program	Rank 2023	Rank 2024	Rank 2025
Arts and Humanities	#48	#63	#57
Business and Economics	NA	NA	#37
Medical and Health	#60	#62	#61
Computer Science	#74	#74	#71
Education Studies	#68	#72	#101–125
Engineering	#74	#87	#90
Life Sciences	#126–150	#101–125	#101–125
Physical Sciences	#52	#56	#50
Psychology	#61	#48	#44
Social Sciences	#69	#67	#64

Psychology has steadily climbed from #61 in 2023 to #44 in 2025, reflecting strong research and teaching excellence. Similarly, Physical Sciences improved to #50 in 2025, maintaining its competitive edge globally. Programs like Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences remain consistently well-ranked within the top 60–65 range, showcasing academic stability. On the other hand, Education Studies experienced a noticeable drop, falling from #68 in 2023 to #101–125 in 2025.  

Engineering and Medical & Health saw only minor shifts, while Computer Science showed modest improvement, reaching #71 in 2025. Overall, the data illustrates that while Brown is globally recognized across diverse disciplines, its strongest momentum lies in Business, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. 

With top-tier rankings in QS and THE, let's take a look at how Brown University fares in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. 

U.S. News & World Report Subject Rankings 2025 

U.S. News & World Report ranks Brown University highly in several key academic areas, including #3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. The university also secured #43 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie), showcasing its commitment to providing top-tier education and research opportunities, making it a standout in the education system in the USA. 

Here is a snapshot of Brown University's performance in key subject areas according to the U.S. News: 

Program	Rank 2025
Economics	#11
Writing in the Disciplines	#1
Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects	#21
Services Learning	#10

These rankings highlight the university's diverse academic offerings and its dedication to providing quality education across various fields. Brown's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and student engagement ensures that graduates are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to their chosen professions. 

Next, let's explore the University's miscellaneous rankings and accreditations for 2025. 

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025 

Brown University continues to strengthen its position in various global and national rankings. It is ranked #79 in the Webometrics Rankings, which assess universities based on their web presence, research output, and global engagement. Additionally, Brown holds the #282 spot in the QS Sustainability Ranking, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.  

Here are the alternative Brown University Rankings: 

Accreditation	Details
US News	#8 in First-Year Experiences  #4 in Senior Capstone  #3 in Best Colleges for Veterans  #18 in Most Innovative Schools  #129 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)  #12 in Best Value Schools  #43 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
QS	#44 QS WUR Ranking By Subject  #282 QS Sustainability Ranking
Webometrics Ranking of World Universities	#79
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)	Accredited by NECHE, recognized for academic quality and continuous improvement. Member of the AAU, signifies leadership in research and education

These accreditations showcase Brown University’s national success. Now, let's explore its extracurricular activities and additional student opportunities. 

Brown University: Excellence and Achievements 

Brown University has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, producing graduates who secure top highest-paying jobs across various industries. The university is known for its innovative approach to education, encouraging an active learning environment that improves creativity and critical thinking. 

Below is a breakdown of Brown University’s extracurricular achievements, which make it a good choice to study in the US from India: 

Academic Excellence and National Recognition 

Brown University is consistently celebrated for its academic excellence and commitment to student success. Ranked #8 in First-Year Experiences by U.S. News, the university is known for creating a strong academic foundation and ensuring students feel supported from the very beginning of their journey. 

Key Academic Recognitions of Brown University: 

Category	Recognition
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)	Recognized for maintaining rigorous academic standards and continuous improvement.
Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)	Accredited for 10 years, ensuring top-quality teacher education programs.
EAB’s Student Success Collaborative Citizen Award	Finalist for its dedication to enhancing student outcomes and sharing best practices across institutions.

Brown’s strong academic reputation makes it a top choice for students worldwide. 
Next, let’s explore how the university strengthens its impact through community and lifestyle recognitions. 

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions 

Beyond academics, Brown University is equally dedicated to community development and student life. With over 500 student organizations, the university encourages students to explore their passions while building leadership and teamwork skills. Its extensive alumni network of over 100 clubs ensures graduates remain connected globally. 

Community Engagement and Lifestyle Highlights: 

Category	Recognition/Details
Local Community Impact	Brown partners with organizations in Providence and Rhode Island to drive social and economic development.
Student Organizations	500+ student groups offering opportunities in academics, arts, culture, and social service.
Global Alumni Clubs	100+ alumni clubs worldwide keeping graduates engaged with the Brown community.

Brown’s active engagement reflects its mission of creating not just successful graduates but also responsible global citizens. 
Now, let’s move to how Brown fosters cultural and creative excellence on campus. 

Cultural and Creative Excellence 

Brown University provides a vibrant platform for cultural expression, creativity, and sportsmanship. Students participate in 34 varsity and 37 club sports teams, with Brown athletes consistently earning NCAA honors for balancing academics with athletics. The university also organizes iconic events that celebrate its diverse community spirit. 

Notable Cultural and Creative Events at Brown University: 

Category	Recognition
Athletics	Brown boasts 34 varsity and 37 club teams, where student-athletes achieve excellence in both academics and sports.
Commencement	A signature milestone that celebrates graduates’ achievements alongside families, faculty, and alumni.
Family Weekend	A beloved tradition bringing together students, parents, and alumni to experience the energy of Brown’s campus.

Through academics, community impact, and cultural engagement, Brown University ensures students enjoy a well-rounded educational experience.  

Having explored Brown University's unique extracurricular activities, let's now check out the acceptance rate at Brown University. 

Brown University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate 

Brown University has a highly competitive acceptance rate of just 5%, reflecting its selectivity and academic excellence. This rate is consistent across various programs, including business and health sciences, offering a balanced opportunity for prospective students. This makes it an attractive choice for students seeking a world-class education.  

Here are the acceptance rates for different programs:  

Program	QS Ranking 2025	Acceptance Rate
Economics and Econometrics	#44	5%
English Language and Literature	#45	5%
Anthropology	#47	5%
Classics and Ancient History	#49	5%
Arts and Humanities	#56	5%
Development Studies	#51-100	5%
Mathematics	#52	5%
History	#51-100	5%
Sociology	#53	5%
Psychology	#101-150	5%

The acceptance rate for different programs can give you insights into competitiveness and academic excellence. Now, let’s explore the ranking methodologies used to determine these rankings. 

Ranking Methodologies 

Ranking methodologies are essential in assessing universities' global standing. Organizations such as QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, and Webometrics assess institutions using various criteria, including academic reputation, research influence, employability, and international collaboration. 

Here is the methodology used to calculate the Brown University rankings: 

QS World University Rankings 

The QS World University Rankings are significantly shaped by factors like academic reputation, citations per faculty, and employability results. These metrics assess the quality and impact of a university's research, as well as its ability to produce graduates who excel in the workforce. The rankings also take into account the international diversity of faculty and students. 

Programs focused on entrepreneurship such as Brown’s highly ranked offerings, are also factored into employability and research metrics, highlighting the university's commitment to innovative and impactful education. 

Here are the indicators used in QS World University Rankings. 

Indicator	Score
Overall	76.2
Academic Reputation	72.4
Citations per Faculty	82.2
Employment Outcomes	81.9
Employer Reputation	64.3
Faculty-Student Ratio	84.5
International Faculty Ratio	91.0
International Research Network	80.1
International Student Diversity	70.2
International Student Ratio	67.0
Sustainability	72.6

Now, let’s focus on U.S. News and World Report rankings methodology. 

U.S. News and World Report Rankings 

The U.S. News and World Report rankings assess universities using a range of factors, including peer evaluations, standardized test scores like GMAT/GRE, and undergraduate GPA. They also take into account work experience and part-time enrollment ratios to gauge the overall quality of education. 

Here are the criteria used in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings 

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Peer Assessment	Academic Reputation	50%
GMAT/GRE Scores	Scores on GMAT/GRE	15%
Undergraduate GPA	Average GPA of incoming students	5%
Work Experience	Professional experience of students	15%
Part-Time Enrollment Ratio	Percentage of students enrolled part-time	12.50%
Total Part-Time Enrollment	Total number of part-time students	12.50%

Now, let’s look at THE rankings methodology. 

THE World University Rankings 

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings assess universities using 18 performance indicators, grouped into five key areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry Income, and International Outlook. These factors evaluate universities' core functions, such as the quality of education, research impact, and global involvement. 

Below are the indicators and weightage used in calculating the THE World University ranking. 

Indicator	Score (%)
Overall	73.8%
Teaching	71.8%
Research Environment	60.9%
Research Quality	89.4%
Industry	68.6%
International Outlook	71.6%

These indicators provide a detailed assessment of a university’s teaching, research, and global engagement. They reflect the university's performance in academic and professional areas that are crucial for student success and institutional impact.