Acceptance Rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1280
75th percentile
“Rhode Island's land-grant public university excels in oceanography and pharmacy amid Kingston's historic village charm.”
Kingston, RI
Location
The University of Rhode Island started in 1892 as the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, a land-grant institution focused on practical farming and engineering skills for the state's working families. Over time, it grew into the Ocean State's flagship public university, spanning a 1,200-acre campus in Kingston, a preserved colonial village with cobblestone streets and 18th-century homes. You'll find a straightforward, no-frills personality here—geared toward students who want solid preparation for real-world jobs rather than constant prestige-chasing.
Practical-minded undergraduates from New England families thrive at URI, drawn to its approachable vibe and access to Narragansett Bay for outdoor pursuits like sailing or fishing. The surrounding area offers quiet beaches and farmland, with Providence just a 30-minute drive for urban escapes. Tradeoffs include a rural feel that limits walkable nightlife options and harsh winters with heavy snow that keep you indoors from December to March.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
URI shines in hands-on fields like oceanography, where students dive into Narragansett Bay research at the dedicated coastal campus, and pharmacy, with early clinical rotations starting in the first year. Nursing, business, and engineering programs emphasize co-ops and internships, reflecting the school's land-grant roots in applied learning. In classrooms, expect large lectures for introductory courses serving thousands of undergrads, but seminars and labs shrink to 20-30 students as you advance, fostering close work with professors on projects like marine pollution studies.
Research opportunities abound for motivated undergrads, especially in marine sciences, though popular majors like pharmacy fill quickly and require strong high school grades to enter directly. The intellectual culture feels collaborative rather than cutthroat, suiting students who prefer teamwork over solo competition.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
14,376 undergrad • 2,834 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
71%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
11%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses around D1 athletics, with hockey games at Mackey Arena drawing rowdy crowds and tailgates firing up football Saturdays against conference foes. Freshmen settle into traditional dorms like Hillside or suite-style halls, while upperclassmen spread into apartments near the village center. Weekends often mean beach trips to Narragansett or parties fueled by Greek life, which claims about 10% of students, in a social scene that's lively but not overwhelming.
Kingston delivers a cozy college-town rhythm with bike paths, farm stands, and bonfires by campus ponds, though the spread-out layout means relying on shuttles or cars. Cold, windy weather tempers outdoor plans in winter, and Rhode Island's higher cost of living stretches budgets for off-campus eats or rent.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic 10 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
60%
6 Years Graduation Rate
73%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$69,743
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Rhode Island and return in the fall. 60% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 73% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
60%
4-5 years
13%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
26%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$13,586
Acceptance
72%
Undergrads
14,376
4-Year Grad Rate
60%
Endowment
$288M
Kingston, RI 02881