Rhode Island vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Emory admits 10.3% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Emory (16.7% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
Average aid for an international student is $54,457 (Emory) and $26,565 (Rhode Island).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Emory starts at $90,574 against $54,758 and ends at $23,245 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 72.2% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #101-150). Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,056 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 Emory 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
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 72.2% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1160).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $70K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 34,614 |
| International students | 1.2% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 96% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 57% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $65 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Emory?
It's harder to get into Emory. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Rhode Island or Emory graduates earn more?
Emory graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $80K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Emory?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Emory?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $67,329 at Emory.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern