<p>Northwestern is in a good community with easy transit to Chicago, which is probably important if you want to study economics (mind you–economics happens everywhere). Also, Northwestern hosts a traditionally excellent economics program (as indicated by calibre, not reputation or history. I mean orthodox-like style). NWestern is a little more preppy and a little more of a stereotypical college campus (this is my college sweatshirt) but these are just atmospheric characteristics–you have to decide if you like them.</p>
<p>Brown (not as familiar, but did do some research) has much more flexible academic curriculum and, if you are very self-motivated, has such resources that you might consider Brown to pursue unique study projects (sorry that’s ambiguous, but you can do more of your own thing here). I’m sure that Brown’s faculty and courses are not poor (Ivy League has to be good for something), but the academics do not currently gain the same recognition of calibre as NU (you can’t know until you visit–any Brown Econ majors?).</p>
<p>As far as prestige goes, Brown may help you out. Nevertheless, prestige means very little. It might help you tell your friends where you’re going to school as an Int’l student and it might help you sharpen your resume (even though some old people–the people that control jobs–think that Brown is too liberal and thus incompatible with corporate culture (that’s a weak argument–you probably wouldn’t want to work in a place like that anyway)), strong performance and a remarkable UGrad research project at any university could make up the same difference. Are you going to grad school? If so, prestige between Brown and NU will matter very little for admission and even less when you have a second degree (that’s the only one they look at), so you might want to consider finances as well.</p>
<p>Best luck.</p>