University of Rhode Island is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Kingston, Rhode Island. It enrolls 13,381 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
74/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes78
Value67
Affordability33
Selectivity61
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 72.2%, University of Rhode Island is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
72.2%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1020 – 1280
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Rhode Island is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.3 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Rhode Island isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,440 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,440
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
22%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
49%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$16,942
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$37,146
Room & Board (on-campus)
$15,607
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,888
Books & Supplies
$1,250
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,678
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,392
Total Cost of Attendance
$34,321
Application fee: $65 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$14,368
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,923
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,803
$75,001 – $110,000
$23,394
Over $110,000
$28,460
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,00010%percentile
$7,90925%percentile
$22,250Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,587
↓ $4,663
No Pell $17,750
↓ $4,500
Dependent students $18,250
↓ $4,000
Independent students $14,750
↓ $7,500
Female students $18,500
↓ $3,750
Male students $16,757
↓ $5,493
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,750, less than completers ($22,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
69% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Rhode Island graduate within six years, and 84% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
84%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Rhode Island earn a median of $69,743 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$69,743
Earning > $25K
86%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$53,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$65,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$47,600
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$56,400
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$63,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $11,800, about 18% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
13.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 88% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Rhode Island is home to 13,381 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
13,381
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
26%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 73.1%9,780
Hispanic 12.4%1,653
Black 4.6%618
Other 4.1%554
Asian 3.1%420
International 0.9%120
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Rhode Island. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbKingston, Rhode Island
Housing
Mostly residential6,379 beds on campus
Adult Learners
3%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Rhode Island offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
156 distinct programs across
27 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Rhode Island is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$12,495
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$288M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$96,087
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
778 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
235
30%
$128,023
Associate Professors
178
23%
$96,950
Assistant Professors
184
24%
$84,378
Instructors
2
0%
$69,896
Lecturers
179
23%
$65,631
Pros & Cons of University of Rhode Island
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Rhode Island tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Above-average graduation rate
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Rhode Island is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Rhode Island
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Rhode Island.
Is University of Rhode Island hard to get into?
Admissions at University of Rhode Island are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 72.2%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island has an acceptance rate of 72.2%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Rhode Island?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Rhode Island scored between 1020 and 1280 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
How much does University of Rhode Island cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Rhode Island is $21,440 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Rhode Island worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $69,743 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,440 per year. That's roughly 3.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Rhode Island known for?
University of Rhode Island is best known for its programs in Nursing, Psychology, Communication & Media. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Rhode Island graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Rhode Island are $69,743, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Rhode Island accredited?
Yes. University of Rhode Island is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island enrolls 13,381 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island graduates 69% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Rhode Island a public or private college?
University of Rhode Island is a Public institution.
Where is University of Rhode Island located?
University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, Rhode Island.
What programs does University of Rhode Island offer?
University of Rhode Island offers 156 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Psychology, Communication & Media.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Rhode Island?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Rhode Island is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Rhode Island
Other colleges in Rhode Island share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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