Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, RI
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Rhode Island - US university comparison

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Cambridge, MA
World rank · ARWU#3
Acceptance4.55%
Median SAT1550
Graduation rate96.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K
University of Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND
Kingston, RI
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance72.2%
Median SAT1160
Graduation rate73.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Rhode Island
#3 World rank · ARWU #801-900
#2 Rank · THE -
4.55% Acceptance rate 72.2%
1550 Median SAT 1160
96.4% Graduation rate 73.3%
11,886 Enrollment 14,466

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

4.55% Acceptance rate 72.2%
86.1% Yield rate 16.4%
1550 Median SAT 1160
- Avg. GPA 3.65
28,232 Number of applications 28,021
11.7% Int'l students 1.2%
$143K Median earnings · 10 yrs $70K
$88K Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs $44K
$243K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $102K
96.4% Graduation rate 73.3%
99% Retention rate 85%
$14,768 Median debt $22,250
$64,730 Tuition · year $38,398
$68,358 Avg. aid package $17,595
100% % of need met 57%
$29,488 Avg. graduate debt $42,945
$75 Application fee $65
$77,266 Avg. int'l aid $26,565
At a glance
Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads in 10 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance4.55% vs 72.2%
Yield86.1% vs 16.4%
Aid$68,358 vs $17,595

The verdict, from the data

Rhode Island accepts most of the applications it receives (72.2%), while Massachusetts Institute of Technology turns away the overwhelming majority (4.5%).

The share of international students differs sharply: 11.7% (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).

Average aid for an international student is $77,266 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and $26,565 (Rhode Island).

The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Massachusetts Institute of Technology lists $86,904 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $18,546 against $37,163.

These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.

Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.

EXPERT TAKE

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 72.2% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #801-900). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $64,730 per year).

Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.

Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Rhode Island for: lower tuition.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 72.2% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1160).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $70K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 73.3%).

Cost and aid

Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $17,595).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$35k$59k$83kMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyRhode Island TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rhode Island highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rhode Island
World rank · ARWU#3#801-900
Rank · THE#2-
Acceptance rate4.55%72.2%
Yield rate86.1%16.4%
Median SAT15501160
Avg. GPA-3.65
Number of applications28,23228,021
International students11.7%1.2%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K$70K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs$88K$44K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$243K$102K
Graduation rate96.4%73.3%
Retention rate99%85%
Median debt$14,768$22,250
Tuition · year$64,730$38,398
Avg. aid package$68,358$17,595
% of need met100%57%
Avg. graduate debt$29,488$42,945
Application fee$75$65
Enrollment11,88614,466

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rhode Island?

It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.

Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rhode Island graduates earn more?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $70K.

How much is tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Rhode Island?

Sticker-price tuition is $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.

What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rhode Island?

The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rhode Island?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.

Which university offers more financial aid - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rhode Island?

The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $17,595 at Rhode Island.

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology with
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Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) - admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "-" = not yet in canonical.