Rhode Island vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rhode Island accepts most of the applications it receives (72.2%), while Virginia turns away the overwhelming majority (16.8%).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Rhode Island awards them $26,565 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
On paper the cheaper option is Rhode Island: $38,398 against $62,923, which is $24,525 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Virginia: $87K against $70K.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 72.2% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $62,923 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 Virginia 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
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 72.2% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1160).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $70K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | - |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 58,951 |
| International students | 1.2% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $65 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Rhode Island or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Virginia?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $37,123 at Virginia.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern