Head-to-head · 2026
Roger Williams University vs University of Rhode Island
Compare average net price ($37,999 at Roger Williams University; $21,440 at University of Rhode Island), ROI score (4.62 vs 8.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($70,266 vs $69,743), and admissions selectivity (87.7% acceptance at Roger Williams University; 72.2% at University of Rhode Island) 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 | Roger Williams University | University of Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.62 | 8.13 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $37,999 | $21,440 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $151,996 | $85,760 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $44,418 | $16,942 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $44,418 | $37,146 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $70,266 ✓ | $69,743 |
| Acceptance rate | 87.7% | 72.2% |
| Graduation rate | 68.7% | 73.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 81.1% | 83.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,940 | $22,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,946 | 13,381 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1223 | 1160 |
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 | Roger Williams University | University of Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $29,778 | $14,368 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $30,087 | $12,923 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $33,623 | $17,803 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $37,318 | $23,394 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $40,792 | $28,460 ✓ |
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 | Roger Williams University | University of Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.7% | 6% |
| Psychology, General | 5% | 4.9% |
| Marketing | 5.1% | 2.3% |
| Biology, General | 3% | 4.1% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 3.9% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3.3% | 2.4% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2.2% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.9% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Rhode Island reports the lower average net price by $16,559 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $66,236 difference over four years ($85,760 vs $151,996).
Roger Williams University reports $523 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($70,266 vs $69,743). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.1% at Roger Williams University and 83.6% at University of Rhode Island. Median federal debt among completers is $26,940 vs $22,250, 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
Roger Williams University vs University of Rhode Island, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Rhode Island is cheaper — average net price $21,440 per year vs $37,999 at Roger Williams University. The annual difference of $16,559 adds up to about $66,236 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Roger Williams University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $70,266 vs $69,743 at University of Rhode Island. The gap in the federal data is $523. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Rhode Island is more selective at 72.2% acceptance vs 87.7% at Roger Williams University.
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.