Rhode Island vs Kansas State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rhode Island awards international students $26,565 on average, Kansas State awards $5,729.
On paper the cheaper option is Kansas State: $28,568 against $38,398, which is $9,830 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Rhode Island earn noticeably more: $70K against $57K.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1160 against 1150), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
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 82% acceptance). Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #501-600). Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 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 State 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 82% acceptance); Rhode Island has a higher median SAT (1160 vs 1150).
Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K); Rhode Island has a higher 6-year graduation rate (73.3% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $38,398); Rhode Island offers a larger average aid package ($17,595 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 82% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1150 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.81 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 15,432 |
| International students | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 57% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $65 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Kansas State?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Kansas State accepts 82%.
Do Rhode Island or Kansas State graduates earn more?
Rhode Island graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Kansas State?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $28,568 per year at Kansas State.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Kansas State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1150 at Kansas State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Kansas State?
Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #501-600 for Kansas State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Kansas State?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $15,968 at Kansas State.
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