Rhode Island vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Princeton admits 4.4% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Rhode Island stops at $26,565.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $54,758 and ends at $16,304 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 72.2% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,454 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 Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 72.2% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1160).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $70K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 42,303 |
| International students | 1.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 99% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $65 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Rhode Island or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Princeton?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $79,320 at Princeton.
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