Rhode Island vs Kansas - 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: Rhode Island admits 72.2%, Kansas admits 93.5%.
Average aid for an international student is $26,565 (Rhode Island) and $11,164 (Kansas).
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas: $30,432 against $38,398, or $7,966 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Rhode Island: $70K against $62K.
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
Rhode Island is the more selective of the two (72.2% vs 93.48% acceptance). Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 93.48% acceptance); Kansas has a higher median SAT (1190 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 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $38,398); Kansas offers a larger average aid package ($19,700 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 22,363 |
| International students | 1.2% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 86% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 57% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | $65 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Rhode Island or Kansas 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 Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Kansas?
Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Kansas?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $19,700 at Kansas.
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