Rhode Island vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $26,565 (Rhode Island) and $4,456 (Houston).
On paper the cheaper option is Houston: $27,926 against $38,398, which is $10,472 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Rhode Island: $70K against $62K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Houston: a midpoint of 1240 against 1160, a difference of 80 points.
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
Rhode Island is the more selective of the two (72.2% vs 73.92% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #201-300). Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $38,398 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rhode Island is more selective (72.2% vs 73.92% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1240 vs 1160).
Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $62K); Rhode Island has a higher 6-year graduation rate (73.3% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $38,398); Rhode Island offers a larger average aid package ($17,595 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 31,716 |
| International students | 1.2% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 87% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 57% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $65 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Houston?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Rhode Island or Houston graduates earn more?
Rhode Island graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Houston?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Houston?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $16,450 at Houston.
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