University of Rhode Island Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Rhode Island is a public research university in Kingston, Rhode Island, with about 13,381 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 72.16% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $69,743 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,942
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,440 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 72.16% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 13,381 95.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 73.31%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 26.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 69.4%
- Average SAT Score: 1160
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,345
- Applicants (IPEDS): 25,391
- Room & Board: $15,607 annual estimate
University of Rhode Island: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Rhode Island, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, RI (ZIP 02881).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is University of Rhode Island public or private?
University of Rhode Island is a Public institution.
How much does University of Rhode Island cost?
Published tuition: $16,942 in-state, $37,146 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $21,440.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,368 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,923 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,803 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,394 |
| $110,001+ | $28,460 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $67,768.
How hard is it to get into University of Rhode Island?
Admission rate: 72.16%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1160 and midpoint ACT 28.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Rhode Island?
Total enrollment: 13,381 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 17,345 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,834 students.
About 95% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Rhode Island?
150%-time completion rate: 73.31%.
First-year retention: 83.6%.
What do graduates of University of Rhode Island earn?
Median earnings: $57,446 six years after entry; $69,743 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,250.
21.76% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Rhode Island known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (277 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (261 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (212 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (183 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (130 completions)
- Pharmacy (127 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (125 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (124 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (121 completions)
- Finance, General (119 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Rhode Island a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 72.16%; completion rate 73.31%; median earnings $69,743 at 10 years; net price $21,440. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$16,942
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Rhode Island was $16,942.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,440
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Rhode Island had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,440.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$85,760 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,440 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$67,768 4-Year In-State Tuition
$148,584 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$15,607 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,250 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$33,799 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$135,196 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Rhode Island.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.76% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
49.17% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Rhode Island was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Rhode Island in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,450 | $28,016 | $18,179 |
| 2014 | $12,506 | $28,072 | $18,382 |
| 2015 | $12,862 | $28,852 | $19,177 |
| 2016 | $12,884 | $28,874 | $19,216 |
| 2017 | $13,792 | $30,042 | $19,431 |
| 2018 | $14,138 | $30,862 | $20,334 |
| 2019 | $14,566 | $31,686 | $20,607 |
| 2020 | $15,004 | $32,578 | $18,638 |
| 2021 | $15,332 | $33,354 | $19,925 |
| 2022 | $15,880 | $34,362 | $19,694 |
| 2023 | $16,408 | $35,804 | $19,899 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
72.16% Acceptance Rate
25,391 Total Applicants
19,568 Students Admitted
3,289 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.81% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1160
ACT Average: 28
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Rhode Island reported total enrollment of about 13,381 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (73.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.3%), and Black or African American (4.6%). About 21.76% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 26.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
95.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Rhode Island in 2024 is 13,381 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 17,345 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,834 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
83.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 73.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
59.08% 100% Completion Time
73.31% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 59.08% of students graduating from University of Rhode Island completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 11% male / 89% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 57% male / 43% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Rhode Island.
Return on Investment
$22,250 Median Student Debt
$69,743 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
31.90% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
713.23% Return on Investment
3.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Rhode Island.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 130 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 277 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 261 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 212 completions
4. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 183 completions
5. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 130 completions
6. Pharmacy: 127 completions
7. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 125 completions
8. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 124 completions
9. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 121 completions
Most popular programs at University of Rhode Island.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Rhode Island graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Rhode Island from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 69.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,089
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,555
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Rhode Island is a public institution located in Kingston, RI, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 13,381 students. Student body composition includes White (73.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.3%), Black or African American (4.6%). The admission rate is 72.16%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1160. The 150%-time completion rate is 73.31%. Approximately 21.76% of students receive Pell Grants. About 26.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Kingston, RI 02881
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 130 distinct degree programs, University of Rhode Island provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Rhode Island located?
University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, RI.
What is University of Rhode Island's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Rhode Island is 72.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 25,391 applicants and 19,568 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Rhode Island cost?
Reported tuition is $16,942 and average net price is $21,440 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $15,607 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island reports undergraduate enrollment of about 17,345 students, White (73.1%), Hispanic or Latino (12.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Rhode Island?
About 26.3% of students at University of Rhode Island are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Rhode Island?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Rhode Island reports midpoint SAT about 1160 and midpoint ACT about 28.
What do graduates of University of Rhode Island earn?
Median earnings are $57,446 six years after entry and $69,743 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Rhode Island?
The 150%-time completion rate is 73.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Rhode Island students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,250.
Is University of Rhode Island public or private?
University of Rhode Island is a public institution located in Kingston, RI.
Is University of Rhode Island an HBCU?
No. University of Rhode Island is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Rhode Island a tribal college?
No. University of Rhode Island is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Rhode Island college profile
- Rhode Island college costs
- Rhode Island colleges by ROI
- University of Rhode Island vs Brown University vs Rhode Island College
- New England regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island college costs
- Rhode Island colleges by ROI
- University of Rhode Island vs Brown University vs Rhode Island College
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Rhode Island
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.