Rhode Island vs Harvard - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Harvard admits 3.6% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Harvard (15.7% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
Average aid for an international student is $81,046 (Harvard) and $26,565 (Rhode Island).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Harvard starts at $87,926 against $54,758 and ends at $13,539 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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 72.2% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 72.2% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1160).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $70K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | - | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 54,008 |
| International students | 1.2% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 98% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $65 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Rhode Island or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Harvard?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $74,387 at Harvard.
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