University of Rhode Island
#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island- Graduation Rate
- 72% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $69,743 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $21,440 D+
- 25% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island.
Every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,690,597.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 71% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.5%
- Top 47%
- Patents
- 66
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 84
- Downstream influence
Why University of Rhode Island Matters
University of Rhode Island is a public research university in Kingston, RI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 13,381
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Rhode Island
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1020–1280. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,440 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $69,743 ten years after enrolling — 71% above the typical college, against $22,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 44% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 13,381 students, the University of Rhode Island appeals to a diverse array of individuals seeking a solid education in fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications, and Biology. The 72% acceptance rate means that many prospective students can find a place here, making it a welcoming option for those who might not have the highest academic credentials but are eager to learn and grow.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the figures are encouraging. Alumni can expect to earn around $69,743 within ten years of completing their degrees, giving them a solid foothold in the job market. While the cost of education is a consideration, this earning potential shows that students can achieve financial stability.
When it comes to expenses, the net price after aid stands at $21,440, and the median debt for graduates is $22,250. This manageable debt load is critical for students who want to avoid being weighed down by financial burdens after they leave school. Those who tend to thrive at URI are often those who take advantage of the strong programs available and are proactive about their educational journey.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Rhode Island is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Rhode Island? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kingston, Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1160
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1020–1280
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,089
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 25,481
- Admitted
- 19,465
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Rhode Island is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 15% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 15%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 27%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 27% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Rhode Island? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Rhode Island is $37,146, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,440. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,368 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $16,942
- Out-of-State
- $37,146
- Avg Net Price
- $21,440
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,368
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,923
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,803
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,460
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Rhode Island — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Rhode Island Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Rhode Island earn a median of $69,743, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $57,446
- 8 Years
- $65,323
- 10 Years
- $69,743
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,639)
- 53%
- 100% (1,639)
- 53%
- 100% (1,639)
- 53%
- 100% (1,639)
- 53%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Rhode Island Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Rhode Island delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,440/year ($85,760 total). Graduates earn $69,743 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,776,357 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,690,597 (20.7× your investment). The median debt is $22,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 72% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $85,760
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,776,357
- Net Return
- $1,690,597
- ROI Multiple
- 20.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,440
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Rhode Island Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Rhode Island is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.59%, well above the typical college. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.59%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $143,881
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Rhode Island produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 66 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.49%
- Top 47% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 66
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 84
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $320,991
Top Programs
The fields University of Rhode Island awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 14% $65,315 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $78,815 early-career
- Communications 9% $48,250 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $43,569 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $47,993 early-career
- Engineering 7% $86,373 early-career
- Psychology 7% $37,314 early-career
- Education 4% $44,760 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Rhode Island's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Rhode Island? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kingston, Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Rhode Island? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Rhode Island is $37,146, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,440. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,368 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
Is University of Rhode Island Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Rhode Island earn a median of $69,743, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Rhode Island Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Rhode Island is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.59%, well above the typical college. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Rhode Island? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Rhode Island. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Rhode Island offer Early Decision?
No. University of Rhode Island does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Rhode Island really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Rhode Island (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Rhode Island?
About 15% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Rhode Island — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Rhode Island.
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD · Close peer70% grad $69,960 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY · Close peer74% grad $70,814 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · Close peer63% grad $67,979 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · Close peer75% grad $68,396 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA · Close peer70% grad $61,258 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer69% grad $68,751 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Rhode Island? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Rhode Island. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note