Wyoming vs Rhode Island - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rhode Island admits 72.2% of applicants, while Wyoming admits 96.9%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rhode Island awards international students $26,565 on average, Wyoming awards $10,769.
The tuition gap is $13,383 a year: $25,015 (Wyoming) against $38,398.
Ten years on, graduates of Rhode Island earn noticeably more: $70K against $57K.
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 96.9% acceptance). Wyoming ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#701-800 vs #801-900). Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K). Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 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 Wyoming 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 96.9% acceptance); Rhode Island has a higher median SAT (1160 vs 1140).
Rhode Island graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K); Rhode Island has a higher 6-year graduation rate (73.3% vs 58.8%).
Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 vs $38,398); Rhode Island offers a larger average aid package ($17,595 vs $12,129).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Wyoming | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #701-800 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 96.9% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 23.8% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1140 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.55 | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 6,217 | 28,021 |
| International students | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 58.8% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 79% | 85% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $25,015 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $12,129 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 57.6% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,921 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | $40 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 10,813 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Wyoming or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Wyoming accepts 96.9% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Wyoming or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Rhode Island graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Wyoming vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $25,015 per year at Wyoming and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Wyoming or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1140 at Wyoming and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Wyoming or Rhode Island?
Wyoming ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #701-800 for Wyoming vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Wyoming or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $12,129 at Wyoming and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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