University of Rhode Island
PublicKingston, RI
The University of Rhode Island traces its origins to 1888, when South Kingstown citizens raised funds to establish an Agricultural Experiment Station and school on the former Oliver Watson Farm. The school was renamed Rhode Island College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in 1892, became Rhode Island's land-grant college in 1894, and took its current name in 1951. URI now describes itself as the state's Land, Sea, and Urban Grant public research institution.
Admissions
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Decision: Nov 1, 2026
- Early Action: Dec 1, 2026
- Regular Decision: Feb 1, 2027
Confirm on University of Rhode Island's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $21,666 more per year in tuition and fees (2.2x the in-state rate).
Tuition & fees are University of Rhode Island's own published 2026-27 rates (source); other figures are from the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
University of Rhode Island takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
New England Tuition Break
Residents of the other New England states get a reduced out-of-state rate in approved majors. Which majors qualify depends on your home state.
University of Rhode Island's published Tuition Break rate for 2026-27: $29,844 a year in tuition and fees (source).
Where do you stand against University of Rhode Island's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of Rhode Island weighs your application
From University of Rhode Island's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of Rhode Island weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Rhode Island look for in applicants?
Per University of Rhode Island's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of Rhode Island's acceptance rate?
University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI admits approximately 72% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of Rhode Island?
Admitted students at University of Rhode Island typically score between 1020–1280 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of Rhode Island cost?
University of Rhode Island's total cost of attendance is reported at $34,321 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of Rhode Island offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- University of Rhode Island takes part in the New England Tuition Break, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at University of Rhode Island?
For 2026-27, University of Rhode Island's tuition and required fees are $39,746 for out-of-state students and $18,080 for in-state students -- $21,666 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for University of Rhode Island?
University of Rhode Island's deadlines are Early Decision Nov 1, 2026; Early Action Dec 1, 2026; Regular Decision Feb 1, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of Rhode Island require students to live on campus?
No -- University of Rhode Island doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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