Rhode Island vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Brandeis: 40.5% against 72.2% (Rhode Island).
The share of international students differs sharply: 19.3% (Brandeis) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).
Average aid for an international student is $56,730 (Brandeis) and $26,565 (Rhode Island).
The tuition gap is $32,559 a year: $38,398 (Rhode Island) against $70,957.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 72.2% acceptance). Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $70,957 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
Choose Brandeis for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 72.2% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1160).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $70K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 10,462 |
| International students | 1.2% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 87% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 57% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $65 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Rhode Island or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Brandeis?
Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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