Notre Dame vs Rhode Island - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Notre Dame admits 11.3% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Notre Dame (7.5% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Notre Dame awards international students $62,803 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Notre Dame starts at $87,295 against $54,758 and ends at $19,440 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
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
Notre Dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 72.2% acceptance). Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #801-900). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $67,607 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 Notre Dame 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
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 72.2% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1160).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $70K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $67,607); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 28,021 |
| International students | 7.5% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 85% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | $85 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Notre Dame or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Rhode Island?
Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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