Which is better for biology: Colgate or Brown?

Brown has the edge for biology, especially if you want the broadest research access and the deepest connections to a major medical and biomedical environment. Its biology offerings are supported by a large research university structure, the Warren Alpert Medical School, and proximity to major hospitals and labs in Providence. For pre-med or biology students, that usually translates into more varied lab options, more faculty doing specialized research, and easier access to clinical-adjacent experiences.

One major difference is the research ecosystem. Brown’s biology students can plug into work across molecular biology, neuroscience, public health, biomedical engineering, and medical school-affiliated labs, which creates a wider range of niches if your interests shift over time. Colgate has solid science teaching and undergraduates can still do meaningful research, but the scale is smaller and the number of labs, subfields, and nearby medical partnerships is more limited.

Another differentiator is curriculum flexibility. Brown’s open curriculum makes it easier to combine biology with fields like computer science, public health, anthropology, or policy without fighting a heavy core, which can be especially useful for pre-med students trying to shape a distinctive academic path. Colgate offers a more traditional liberal arts structure, which some students like for its close guidance, but it is not as flexible or expansive in the sciences.

Colgate’s real strength is the undergraduate experience in the classroom. Biology classes are often more intimate, faculty access can feel very direct, and science students may find it easier to stand out for mentorship and recommendations. If what you care about most is close faculty attention in a liberal arts setting, Colgate is appealing, but on biology itself, Brown offers more depth, more infrastructure, and more ways to explore science at a high level.