Rhode Island vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Rhode Island: 72.2% against 89% (West Virginia).
The tuition gap is $9,790 a year: $28,608 (West Virginia) against $38,398.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Rhode Island: $70K against $56K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Rhode Island: 1160 against 1110, a gap of 50 points.
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
Rhode Island is the more selective of the two (72.2% vs 89% acceptance). West Virginia 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 $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rhode Island is more selective (72.2% vs 89% acceptance); Rhode Island has a higher median SAT (1160 vs 1110).
Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $56K); Rhode Island has a higher 6-year graduation rate (73.3% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $38,398); Rhode Island offers a larger average aid package ($17,595 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 20,150 |
| International students | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 57% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $65 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Rhode Island or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Rhode Island graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or West Virginia?
West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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