This Ivy League school boasts a graduation rate of over 94% and gives students an unusual amount of academic freedom. Students can design their own concentrations (what other colleges call a major) and the only course requirement is that they must take at least two writing classes. Grades are optional, too — any class can be taken satisfactory/no credit, which essentially amounts to pass/fail.
The university has produced dozens of award-winning writers in fiction, journalism and theater. Aside from liberal arts, Brown is known for its strong science programs, especially in medicine, math and computer sciences. Brown students can expect a lot of personalized attention with a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Among the highlights of the social calendar are the concert-filled Spring Weekend and the elegant Campus Dance to kick off commencement and Reunion Weekend.
Like its Ivy League peers, Brown has an impressive list of alumni, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, CNN founder Ted Turner and actor John Krasinski. Students who don't go on to become household names still do well in the job market, with median alumni earnings of about $95,000 in their early careers.
