West Virginia vs Rhode Island - 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 (#501-600 vs #801-900). 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 West Virginia for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rhode Island for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
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 | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1110 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 20,150 | 28,021 |
| International students | 1.7% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $36K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 64.7% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 83.4% | 85% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $28,608 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,730 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 63% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,010 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | $65 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 23,643 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into West Virginia or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. West Virginia accepts 89% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do West Virginia or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Rhode Island graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at West Virginia vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,608 per year at West Virginia and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1110 at West Virginia and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - West Virginia or Rhode Island?
West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for West Virginia vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - West Virginia or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $16,730 at West Virginia and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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