Rhode Island vs Connecticut - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Connecticut admits 52.4%, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 7.4% (Connecticut) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rhode Island awards international students $26,565 on average, Connecticut awards $17,282.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Rhode Island: $38,398 against $44,004, or $5,606 less a year.
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
Connecticut is the more selective of the two (52.39% vs 72.2% acceptance). Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $44,004 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 Connecticut 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
Connecticut is more selective (52.39% vs 72.2% acceptance); Connecticut has a higher median SAT (1340 vs 1160).
Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $70K); Connecticut has a higher 6-year graduation rate (83.3% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $44,004); Connecticut offers a larger average aid package ($21,535 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 52.39% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1340 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | - |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 55,479 |
| International students | 1.2% | 7.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $74K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $109K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 83.3% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 92% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $21,500 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $44,004 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $21,535 |
| % of need met | 57% | 61.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $28,506 |
| Application fee | $65 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 28,306 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Connecticut?
It's harder to get into Connecticut. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Connecticut accepts 52.39%.
Do Rhode Island or Connecticut graduates earn more?
Connecticut graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $74K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Connecticut?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $44,004 per year at Connecticut.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Connecticut?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1340 at Connecticut; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Connecticut?
Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #301-400 for Connecticut.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Connecticut?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $21,535 at Connecticut.
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