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

Washington University vs Rhode Island - US university comparison

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
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
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

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

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

12.1% Acceptance rate 72.2%
46.7% Yield rate 16.4%
1540 Median SAT 1160
4.19 Avg. GPA 3.65
32,754 Number of applications 28,021
9.4% Int'l students 1.2%
$86K Median earnings · 10 yrs $70K
$61K Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs $44K
$137K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $102K
94.3% Graduation rate 73.3%
95% Retention rate 85%
$17,500 Median debt $22,250
$69,594 Tuition · year $38,398
$75,604 Avg. aid package $17,595
100% % of need met 57%
$26,666 Avg. graduate debt $42,945
$75 Application fee $65
$68,438 Avg. int'l aid $26,565
At a glance
Washington University leads in 11 of 12 measured metrics
Acceptance12.1% vs 72.2%
Aid$75,604 vs $17,595
Yield46.7% vs 16.4%

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 (#23 vs #801-900). 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Rhode Island for: lower tuition.

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$83kWashington UniversityRhode Island TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Washington University and Rhode Island highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Washington University Rhode Island
World rank · ARWU#23#801-900
Rank · THE#69-
Acceptance rate12.1%72.2%
Yield rate46.7%16.4%
Median SAT15401160
Avg. GPA4.193.65
Number of applications32,75428,021
International students9.4%1.2%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K$70K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs$61K$44K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$137K$102K
Graduation rate94.3%73.3%
Retention rate95%85%
Median debt$17,500$22,250
Tuition · year$69,594$38,398
Avg. aid package$75,604$17,595
% of need met100%57%
Avg. graduate debt$26,666$42,945
Application fee$75$65
Enrollment16,35714,466

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

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

Do Washington University or Rhode Island graduates earn more?

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

How much is tuition at Washington University vs Rhode Island?

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

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

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

Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Rhode Island?

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

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

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

Compare Washington University 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.