Head-to-head · 2026
Brown University vs Rhode Island College
Compare average net price ($25,184 at Brown University; $9,478 at Rhode Island College), ROI score (9.28 vs 14.85), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($93,487 vs $56,318), and admissions selectivity (5.4% acceptance at Brown University; 91.8% at Rhode Island College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Brown University | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.28 | 14.85 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $25,184 | $9,478 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $100,736 | $37,912 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $71,412 | $11,300 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $71,412 | $27,299 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $93,487 ✓ | $56,318 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 91.8% |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% ✓ | 48.1% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% ✓ | 73.3% |
| Median debt | $11,428 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 7,226 | 5,049 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1546 | 990 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Brown University | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$420 ✓ | $6,378 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,031 ✓ | $6,989 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,858 ✓ | $8,701 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,219 | $12,809 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $44,937 | $15,681 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Brown University | Rhode Island College |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 10.3% | 2.7% |
| Economics | 6.8% | 0.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.5% | 4.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.7% | 4.4% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 1.8% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 0.1% | 3.8% |
| Sociology | 1.3% | 2.3% |
| History | 2.7% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rhode Island College reports the lower average net price by $15,706 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $62,824 difference over four years ($37,912 vs $100,736).
Brown University reports $37,169 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($93,487 vs $56,318). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.8% at Brown University and 73.3% at Rhode Island College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,428 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Brown University vs Rhode Island College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rhode Island College is cheaper — average net price $9,478 per year vs $25,184 at Brown University. The annual difference of $15,706 adds up to about $62,824 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Brown University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $93,487 vs $56,318 at Rhode Island College. The gap in the federal data is $37,169. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Brown University is more selective at 5.4% acceptance vs 91.8% at Rhode Island College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.