Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Kingston, Rhode Island
77.1% Acceptance Rate
University of Rhode Island — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
77.1%Acceptance Rate
3.58Avg GPA
1176Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$32,584Annual Cost
$69,743Grad Salary
21.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
77.1%
Avg GPA
3.58
Avg SAT
1176
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1270
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Avg Net Price
$19,899
Need-Based Aid
21.2% receive Pell
University of Rhode Island is a public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university provides a dynamic and diverse campus environment that fosters critical inquiry, research, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to achieve their academic and career potential.
University of Rhode Island Acceptance Rate
University of Rhode Island (URI) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 77.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 77.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.58 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.13
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Rhode Island Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Rhode Island is November 1 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 1
Early Action
December 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
URI GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at URI is 3.58. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.28 and 3.58? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.78–3.98.URI GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.58 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.18 – 3.37
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.17
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Supplemental essay/paragraph required only for Nursing, PharmD, Honors, and Talent Development applicants
- PharmD applicants need two letters of recommendation versus the standard one
- Acceptance rate reported 72-77% depending on source; regular deadline Feb 1
- Land-grant research university with a dedicated Nursing Education Center in Providence's Jewelry District
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at URI
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Rhode Island's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Rhode Island (URI) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if URI is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into URI Without SAT or ACT?
URI considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Rhode Island Average SAT Score: 1176
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Rhode Island is 1176 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1176 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Rhode Island allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at URI. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 565 | 510 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 520 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1176 | 1030 | 1270 |
Below 1030, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of Rhode Island (URI) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of URI's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Rhode Island (URI) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at URI is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 25 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into University of Rhode Island with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of URI's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at URI.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for URI
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
URI takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Skip supplemental-essay stress unless you're in Nursing, PharmD, Honors, or Talent Development
URI only requires a major-specific paragraph or essay for these four tracks. If you're outside them, redirect that effort into your general personal statement instead.
PharmD applicants: line up two recommenders early
Pharmacy requires two letters of recommendation versus the standard one elsewhere in the application - a common late scramble is finding a second recommender at the last minute.
Honors Colloquium essay: propose a theme you're genuinely curious about, not a rehashed AP topic
The prompt explicitly measures curiosity and interdisciplinary thinking, not academic readiness - a recycled essay topic reads as coasting rather than engaging with the actual ask.
Nursing/pharmacy/talent development: treat your required paragraph as a mini "why this program" essay
Generic "I want to help people" pharmacy essays are explicitly flagged as weak in admissions guidance - go specific about the field, not the sentiment.
Expert Insight:
Because URI presents one general application, students often don't realize Nursing, PharmD, Honors, and Talent Development quietly require an extra paragraph or essay - missing it can leave that specific program's file incomplete even though the general application looks finished.
URI Profile
Full Name
University of Rhode Island (URI)
City
Kingston
State
Rhode Island
ZIP Code
2881
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a URI Degree Worth It?
Whether URI is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $72,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.17%.
How much does a degree from URI Cost?
The sticker price is $32,584/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $19,899.
21.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.5% take federal loans at URI. File your FAFSA early and list URI as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a URI Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $69,743. That's about 72% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Rhode Island. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Rhode Island. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Rhode Island. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at URI
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About URI Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Rhode Island run about $69,743 a year.
University of Rhode Island costs roughly $32,584 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
University of Rhode Island's Pell Grant rate of 21.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 77.1%, University of Rhode Island's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Rhode Island average a 3.58 GPA.
University of Rhode Island doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.28 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.18, University of Rhode Island becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Rhode Island — aim above 1176, ideally within the 1030–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Rhode Island is November 1 for Early Decision applicants.
The application fee is 65. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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