University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, RI
Washington University in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Rhode Island vs Washington University - US university comparison

University of Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND
Kingston, RI
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance72.2%
Median SAT1160
Graduation rate73.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K
Washington University in St. Louis
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
St. Louis, MO
World rank · ARWU#23
Acceptance12.1%
Median SAT1540
Graduation rate94.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

University of Rhode Island Washington University in St. Louis
#801-900 World rank · ARWU #23
- Rank · THE #69
72.2% Acceptance rate 12.1%
1160 Median SAT 1540
73.3% Graduation rate 94.3%
14,466 Enrollment 16,357

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

72.2% Acceptance rate 12.1%
16.4% Yield rate 46.7%
1160 Median SAT 1540
3.65 Avg. GPA 4.19
28,021 Number of applications 32,754
1.2% Int'l students 9.4%
$70K Median earnings · 10 yrs $86K
$44K Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs $61K
$102K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $137K
73.3% Graduation rate 94.3%
85% Retention rate 95%
$22,250 Median debt $17,500
$38,398 Tuition · year $69,594
$17,595 Avg. aid package $75,604
57% % of need met 100%
$42,945 Avg. graduate debt $26,666
$65 Application fee $75
$26,565 Avg. int'l aid $68,438
At a glance
Washington University leads in 11 of 12 measured metrics
Acceptance72.2% vs 12.1%
Aid$17,595 vs $75,604
Yield16.4% vs 46.7%

The verdict, from the data

Rhode Island accepts most of the applications it receives (72.2%), while Washington University turns away the overwhelming majority (12.1%).

The larger international cohort belongs to Washington University: 9.4% of students against 1.2% (Rhode Island).

Average aid for an international student is $68,438 (Washington University) and $26,565 (Rhode Island).

The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Washington University lists $94,289 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $18,685 against $37,163.

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

Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 72.2% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #23). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $69,594 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 Washington University 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

Admissions

Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 72.2% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1160).

Graduate outcomes

Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $70K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 73.3%).

Cost and aid

Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $17,595).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$35k$59k$83kRhode IslandWashington University TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Rhode Island and Washington University highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Rhode Island Washington University
World rank · ARWU#801-900#23
Rank · THE-#69
Acceptance rate72.2%12.1%
Yield rate16.4%46.7%
Median SAT11601540
Avg. GPA3.654.19
Number of applications28,02132,754
International students1.2%9.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K$86K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs$44K$61K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$102K$137K
Graduation rate73.3%94.3%
Retention rate85%95%
Median debt$22,250$17,500
Tuition · year$38,398$69,594
Avg. aid package$17,595$75,604
% of need met57%100%
Avg. graduate debt$42,945$26,666
Application fee$65$75
Enrollment14,46616,357

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Washington University?

It's harder to get into Washington University. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.

Do Rhode Island or Washington University graduates earn more?

Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $70K.

How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Washington University?

Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $69,594 per year at Washington University.

What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Washington University?

The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Washington University?

Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #23 for Washington University.

Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Washington University?

The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $75,604 at Washington University.

Compare Rhode Island with
Harvard Stanford Massachusetts Institute of Technology Princeton Yale Cornell Penn Johns Hopkins Northwestern North Carolina
Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) - admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "-" = not yet in canonical.