SAT Score Needed To Get Into Brown 2026

Brown University is one of the most selective institutions in the country, with recent acceptance rates hovering around 5–6%. For the Class of 2029, Brown admitted just 2,418 students out of approximately 42,765 applicants, a 5.65% overall acceptance rate. With odds this slim, students and families naturally wonder: what SAT score do you actually need to get in?

The short answer is that you need a score in the mid-1500s to be competitive. But the more nuanced answer, and the one that actually matters for your application strategy, involves understanding how Brown evaluates test scores and where the point of diminishing returns kicks in.

Brown's SAT Score Range

According to Brown's Common Data Set, the middle 50% SAT composite for admitted first-year students falls between approximately 1480 and 1560. The median sits around 1540. Breaking that down further, 75% of admitted students scored above 1500, and 25% scored above 1570.

On the section level, admitted students typically score between 750–800 on Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and 770–800 on Math. About 63% of admits had EBRW scores in the 750–800 range, and roughly 72% achieved 750–800 in Math. Scoring below 700 on either section is rare among Brown's admitted class.

This tells us something important: a 1520 sits just above the 25th percentile of admits, a 1550 lands near the median, a 1570 reaches approximately the 75th percentile, and a 1600 places you at the very top, though only about a quarter of admits even hit 1570 or above.

The Diminishing Returns Curve

Here's what most families don't realize: the relationship between SAT scores and admission probability isn't linear. Higher scores correlate with better chances, but the gains shrink dramatically as you approach the top of the scale.

An analysis of Brown's Class of 2020 admissions data (when detailed score breakdowns were released) illustrates this pattern clearly. Applicants with a perfect 800 in SAT Reading had about a 23% admit rate compared to roughly 15% for those in the high-700s. A perfect 800 in Math corresponded to approximately a 16% admit rate versus 14% for those scoring 750–790, a difference of only two percentage points. These marginal gains for perfection are far smaller than most people assume.

The contrast becomes stark when you compare different parts of the score distribution. Moving from a 1400 to a 1500 could conceivably double your chances of admission, because that jump takes you from well below Brown's range into genuine contention. But moving from 1550 to 1580? That might add a percentage point or two to your probability at best.

Where the Plateau Begins

Based on available data, student reports, and counselor observations, the point of diminishing returns appears to set in around the mid-1500s, somewhere between 1520 and 1550. Beyond this threshold, additional points yield increasingly minimal improvements in admission probability.

This isn't just speculation. Brown's own admissions data supports it, and admissions officers have publicly acknowledged the phenomenon. As one former admissions dean noted, once you're at a 1500+, the committee knows you can succeed academically at Brown. They're not thinking the 1600 applicant is fundamentally better prepared than the 1500 applicant. At that point, the decision hinges on everything else in your application.

A College Confidential forum respondent who was a Brown student put it well: high SAT scores "do nothing more than make sure your application isn't weeded out on the first pass." Once you're above the mark, it's about proving how you fit into Brown's unique environment. The score gets you to the table; it doesn't win you a seat.

Breaking Down the Key Score Points

Let's examine how specific scores position you in Brown's applicant pool, assuming all other factors are equal.

A 1520 is around the 25th percentile for admits. It's a competitive score nationally (99th percentile), but it sits at the lower boundary of Brown's typical range. In an Early Decision context, a 1520 can absolutely be sufficient, particularly if the rest of your application is strong. One parent of an admitted Brown ED student reported being told that approximately 1500 is the minimum threshold, and their child's 1530 was enough to secure admission. In Regular Decision, a 1520 puts you in contention but on the academic lower end, meaning your other credentials need to compensate.

A 1550 moves you to roughly the median of admitted students. This is a solidly competitive score that signals no real academic weakness. The jump from 1520 to 1550 represents a meaningful improvement in positioning—you go from the bottom quartile to the middle of the pack. However, plenty of applicants with 1550s and higher are rejected every year when other elements of their application don't distinguish them. The marginal benefit here might be a few percentage points in admission probability.

A 1570 places you at approximately the 75th percentile, meaning you're in the top quarter of Brown's admitted score distribution. At this level, you've maximized the academic readiness signal. But the jump from 1550 to 1570 is relatively minor in practical impact. Both scores firmly establish credibility; 1570 just places you slightly higher in the pile. Most admissions professionals treat 1550+ as essentially equivalent, the differences are marginal enough that other application factors dominate the decision.

A 1600 is rare and places you at the absolute academic ceiling. Intuitively, you might expect this to confer a significant advantage, and it does signal that you've maximized testing. However, the boost over a high-1500s score is minimal in holistic review. Brown has rejected plenty of 1600 scorers. The data suggests that perfect-score applicants might see admit rates around 20–25%, compared to mid-to-high teens for those with mid-to-high 1500s. That's a relative improvement, but it's far from a guarantee, and much of that correlation reflects that 1600 scorers tend to have exceptional applications overall, not that the score itself is driving admission.

Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

Brown's Early Decision round typically has an acceptance rate of 14–18%, compared to around 5% or lower in Regular Decision. This means the same applicant with a 1520 has significantly better odds in ED than in RD.

Does this change the calculus around test scores? Somewhat. Brown doesn't appear to dramatically lower the academic bar for ED applicants, a 1500+ is still expected for unhooked applicants. But ED does seem to amplify the value of a competitive score within Brown's range. One student with a 1530 was accepted ED while peers with higher scores were deferred or rejected, suggesting that once you meet the academic threshold, demonstrated interest and application quality become decisive.

The diminishing returns phenomenon still applies in ED. A 1550 ED applicant likely has only marginally better odds than a 1520 ED applicant, and a 1600 won't guarantee admission regardless of when you apply.

The Strategic Takeaway

The sweet spot for Brown is to score in the mid-1500s or above. This places you in the top quartile of applicants and assures the admissions committee that academics won't be a concern. Beyond that threshold, additional points provide only marginal benefit.

If you're currently scoring in the low 1500s, additional preparation could meaningfully improve your positioning. But if you're already at 1550+, the hours you might spend pushing toward 1580 or 1600 are almost certainly better invested in strengthening other parts of your application, your essays, your extracurricular profile, your demonstrated interest in Brown specifically.

A 1520 puts you in the game. A 1550+ keeps you competitive with typical admits. A 1570 or 1600 might marginally increase your odds but cannot guarantee admission. The curve flattens dramatically once you're in elite territory, and the decision ultimately rests on the broader merits of your application.

As Brown's former admissions dean reminded applicants: not everything that can be counted counts. In a holistic review, your score is necessary but not sufficient. Get it into range, then focus your energy where it will actually move the needle.

The SAT opens the door. Everything else determines whether you walk through it.At Cosmic College Consulting, we help academically driven students build application strategies that go beyond test scores. If you're targeting Brown or other highly selective schools, schedule a consultation with an admissions expert to discuss how we can help you present your strongest possible candidacy.