Rhode Island vs Yale - 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 Yale turns away the overwhelming majority (4.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Yale) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Yale awards international students $84,185 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Yale lists $98,900 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $24,547 against $37,163.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 72.2% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $72,500 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 Yale 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
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 72.2% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1160).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $70K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | - | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | - |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 50,264 |
| International students | 1.2% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $65 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Rhode Island or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Yale?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $74,353 at Yale.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina