University of Rhode Island: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Kingston, Rhode Island · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Action
- 28,021
- Applicants
- 20,892
- Admitted75%
- 3,431
- Enrolled
- 16%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Moderately selective75% admittedRanked #148 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #128 (tie), Business Programs #149 (tie), Computer Science #141 (tie), Nursing #75 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Rhode Island (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Rhode Island a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Rhode Island against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Rhode Island is a public university in Kingston, Rhode Island that admits about 75% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $21,440 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 71% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Rhode Island is a public institution located in Kingston, Rhode Island with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Rhode Island admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 75%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1210 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,440 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Rhode Island?
64% of enrolled students at University of Rhode Island had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.65, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does University of Rhode Island weight in admissions?
University of Rhode Island reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
4- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
- Application essay
- Recommendations
Important
3- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Considered
8- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
3- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores University of Rhode Island typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 600. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1090 |
| 50th percentile | 1210 |
| 75th percentile | 1310 |
| % submitting SAT | 23% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 28 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 1.49% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional; SAT/ACT superscored if sent.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Rhode Island's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 19% |
| Top 25% of class | 48% |
| Top 50% of class | 86% |
| % submitting class rank | 42% |
How much does University of Rhode Island actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,942 for in-state students and $37,146 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,607 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $21,440 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $15,148 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $36,070 |
| Required fees | $2,328 |
| Room and board | $15,070 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $21,440 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 64% |
| Average need-based grant | $14,829 |
| Average merit award, no financial need1,038 first-year students received one | $10,107 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 68% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $42,945 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Rhode Island
| Regular deadline | 2/1 |
| Notification date | 1/31 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 74% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Rhode Island?
These predict outcomes at University of Rhode Island better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Rhode Island
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Rhode Island, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, University of Rhode Island confers roughly 1,419 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $90,720 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 290 | $90,720 |
| Psychology, General | 224 | $52,822 |
| Biology, General | 193 | $74,984 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 170 | $63,795 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 154 | $73,868 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 142 | n/a |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 126 | n/a |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 120 | $55,463 |
Is University of Rhode Island safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Rhode Island disclosed 13 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Rhode Island?
About 46% of undergraduates at University of Rhode Island live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 24% of men join a fraternity and 30% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for University of Rhode Island
Common questions parents ask about University of Rhode Island
What GPA do I need for University of Rhode Island?
64% of enrolled students at University of Rhode Island had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.65, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Rhode Island typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 600.
How much does University of Rhode Island actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Rhode Island after grants and scholarships is $21,440 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,942 and $37,146 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Rhode Island realistic for my child?
University of Rhode Island admits 75% of applicants, so 500–630 SAT Math is target range and below 500 is a reach. Then check the $21,440 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island accepts about 75% of applicants out of roughly 28,021 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of Rhode Island test-optional?
Yes. University of Rhode Island is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Rhode Island?
About 71% of students at University of Rhode Island graduate within six years, and 57% finish in four years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 74%, compared with its overall rate of 75%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does University of Rhode Island look for in applicants?
University of Rhode Island rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Rhode Island a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Rhode Island is a public institution located in Kingston, Rhode Island.
What are the most popular majors at University of Rhode Island?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Rhode Island by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Biology, General. The school awards about 1,419 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Rhode Island safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Rhode Island reported 13 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Rhode Island?
At University of Rhode Island, 46% of undergraduates live on campus, 24% of men are in fraternities, 30% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Rhode Island, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers