Brown University fundamentally reimagines what undergraduate education should be. While other Ivies load students with core requirements and distribution mandates, Brown trusts students to direct their own learning.

Still, the question remains: what major is Brown University most known for in the Ivy League? Understanding Brown’s programs matters because it shows how institutional philosophy shapes academic reputation. 

Most Popular Majors at Brown University

Brown University is most known for its computer science program and has established itself as a powerhouse in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and graphics research. 

The department’s reputation stems from groundbreaking work in these fields, combined with Brown’s distinctive Open Curriculum that allows CS students to pursue genuinely interdisciplinary paths without distribution requirements getting in the way.

What sets Brown’s computer science apart isn’t just the prestigious faculty or research facilities. It’s the culture. Here’s what makes the program special:

• Collaborative environment: Students work together rather than compete, sharing knowledge and supporting each other’s growth
• Early hands-on experience: Real-world projects begin freshman year, not junior or senior year
• Direct faculty access: Regular interaction with professors who are pioneers in AI, graphics, and HCI research
• Strong industry connections: Alumni land positions at Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and innovative startups nationwide
• Research opportunities: Undergraduates can join cutting-edge research labs in machine learning, robotics, and visualization

The Open Curriculum Advantage: Why Brown’s Approach Matters

Before diving deeper into specific majors, understanding Brown’s Open Curriculum is essential because it fundamentally shapes every academic experience on campus. Brown lets students design their own educational path with just one requirement: demonstrating writing proficiency.

Here’s what this freedom looks like in practice:

• A computer science concentrator can take poetry workshops without sacrificing technical depth
• Art history majors can explore neuroscience purely out of intellectual curiosity
• Students build education around genuine interests rather than checking arbitrary boxes
• Self-directed learners thrive with the autonomy to craft personalized academic journeys

💡For students evaluating whether their academic profile aligns with Brown’s flexible but demanding environment, tools like the College Transfer Chances Calculator can provide valuable clarity.

Other Top Programs That Define Brown’s Academic Excellence

While computer science leads Brown’s Ivy League reputation, several other programs have earned national recognition and attract talented students from around the world. These concentrations showcase Brown’s strength across diverse fields.

Applied Mathematics

Applied Math at Brown is exceptionally rigorous, a key factor behind both the school’s prestige and its competitive transfer acceptance rate.

Unlike traditional pure math programs, it’s intensely practical. Students code from day one, learning to translate theory into computational solutions for real-world problems in climate science, finance, and data analysis.

The program pairs exceptionally well with other concentrations. Combining applied math with economics and applied math with biology creates graduates who bridge theoretical understanding with practical application, making them highly competitive for graduate programs and industry positions.

Economics

The economics concentration has become one of Brown’s most sought-after programs. The department emphasizes analytical thinking over rote memorization, incorporating behavioral economics, development economics, and environmental economics alongside traditional theory. 

Providence’s location near Boston opens doors to internships at financial institutions, consulting firms, and policy organizations. The strong alumni network places graduates at major banks, the Federal Reserve, and top graduate programs.

Biology and Neuroscience

Biology majors at Brown have the opportunity to perform hands-on research. The program offers tracks in ecology, cell biology, and physiology, while neuroscience has exploded in popularity as an interdisciplinary concentration. 

The medical school’s campus presence creates unique opportunities. Undergraduates take graduate-level courses, attend medical seminars, and participate in clinical research – invaluable exposure for pre-med college students that most undergraduates don’t access until later.

Engineering

With roughly 600 undergraduates, Brown’s nationally ranked School of Engineering offers intimate learning where students know professors personally. The school provides concentrations in biomedical, chemical, computer, electrical, materials, and mechanical engineering. 

Biomedical engineering particularly stands out, with students working on prosthetics, medical imaging, and tissue engineering. Brown engineers gain something peers at technical institutes often miss: deep liberal arts exposure. 

International Relations and Public Policy

As one of the best colleges on the East Coast, Brown offers international and public affairs programs to prepare students for global careers in diplomacy, business, and policy. The concentration blends political science, economics, history, and area studies. 

The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs brings world leaders and policymakers to campus regularly, where students attend seminars and engage with practitioners tackling real international challenges.

Career Outcomes: Where Brown Graduates Go

Brown graduates pursue remarkably diverse paths, reflecting the Open Curriculum’s influence. 

Resources available for career development:

• Career Lab services: Personalized coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, and industry-specific guidance
• Alumni network events: Networking gatherings in major cities connecting students with Brown graduates
• On-campus recruiting: Tech companies, consulting firms, and financial institutions actively recruit on campus
• Fellowship advising: Dedicated support for Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and other prestigious scholarship applications
• Industry treks: Organized visits to companies in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and other major hubs

Brown students attend top medical schools, law schools, business programs, and PhD programs nationwide. It’s this consistent record of achievement that inspires many ambitious students to explore how to transfer to Brown University in hopes of following a similar path.

Making the Most of Brown’s Opportunities

Brown University’s reputation rests on computer science, but reducing the institution to a single program misses the larger story.

Brown has built an environment where academic excellence meets intellectual freedom. It is a place where students can pursue deep expertise while maintaining a spirit of exploration.

Working with experienced college transfer advisors can help you assess whether Brown’s distinctive model aligns with your goals and strengths, while also refining your application to emphasize the qualities Brown values most.