Admit rate has ranged 75%–77% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Rhode Island is a public research university where the Atlantic Ocean serves as both a backdrop and a laboratory. With a laid-back coastal vibe and strong programs in marine sciences, health fields, and engineering, URI attracts students who want hands-on learning without the cutthroat pressure of more selective schools. Greek life dominates the social scene, but the campus’s proximity to beaches and Providence offers plenty of alternatives.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
13,381
In-state tuition
$16,942
Out-of-state tuition
$37,146
Acceptance Rate
72.2% (2026)
Notable Programs
Marine Sciences, Nursing, Oceanography
4-Year Graduation Rate
59%
6-Year Graduation Rate
71%
Students Receiving Aid
71.38%
Average Debt at Graduation
$40,247
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$69,743
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$22,250
Graduation rate
73%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
69%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
26%
Endowment / student
$23,746
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$72,693
Computer Engineering$71,473
Computer and Information Sciences, General$67,995
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$66,332
Mechanical Engineering$63,880
Industrial Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
9
Per 1,000 students
0.67
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
106
Summer high
77°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
55.1"
Annual snow
20.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
466
Scholarly works
47,910
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.6%
Bottom → top quintile
34%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Kingston, RI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Rhode Island?
Admitted students at University of Rhode Island typically score 1020–1280 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Rhode Island cost?
At University of Rhode Island, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,440 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 13,381 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Rhode Island located?
University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, RI.
Admissions
URI is a moderately selective public university with a 72.2% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (Fall 2026). The middle 50% of admitted first-years had SAT scores between 1260–1340, ACT scores around 30, and unweighted GPAs ranging from 3.75 to 4.11. Only 22% of applicants submitted SAT scores, while just 2% submitted ACT scores—suggesting Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies have significantly reduced reliance on standardized testing. The admissions office is located at 14 Upper College Rd in Kingston, and applications are due by February 1.
URI offers over 80 undergraduate majors, with particular strengths in marine ecology, oceanography, and health sciences (including nursing, kinesiology, and communicative disorders). The College of Health Sciences is a standout, providing programs that blend research and clinical training. German and other humanities majors are available but less emphasized. The Princeton Review gives URI an academic rating of 78/99, and 57% of students graduate within four years—a rate that climbs to 71% by six years. Reddit users describe the programs as 'rigorous but career-focused,' with accreditation standards ensuring quality.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$63,749
Ocean Engineering$63,600
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$61,814
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
URI’s social scene is heavily influenced by Greek life, which students say 'dominates' campus culture. However, 61% of undergraduates live off-campus, creating a split between residential and commuter vibes. The Kingston campus is praised for its beauty, and its coastal location means beach trips are a regular perk. Students also take advantage of nearby Providence and Newport for weekend outings. University-sponsored events, clubs, and D1 athletics (the Rams compete in the Atlantic 10) round out the options.
URI’s four-year graduation rate is 59%, rising to 71% within six years—placing it in the top 25% of peer institutions. About 70% of graduates borrow student loans, with an average debt of $40,247 at graduation. Alumni surveys suggest over 90% achieve positive career outcomes, though specific employment data is pending via URI’s First Destination Survey, which tracks graduates’ job placements and further education.
The average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $20,695, with 71.38% of students receiving financial aid (averaging $17,388 per package). URI provides a Net Price Calculator to estimate individualized costs, factoring in tuition, fees, housing, and books. Payment plans and residency policies are available to help manage expenses, though 70% of graduates leave with debt.
URI’s blend of beachside relaxation and serious research—especially in marine and health sciences—makes it unique among New England public universities. It’s a school where you can study oceanography with the Atlantic as your classroom, then unwind with a sunset at Narragansett. The Greek-heavy social scene isn’t for everyone, but the proximity to Providence and Newport ensures there’s always an alternative. For students seeking a balanced mix of academics and coastal leisure, URI delivers.
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