URI vs University of Delaware: cost, admissions and outcomes compared

    Verified federal figures for University of Rhode Island and University of Delaware, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

    University of Rhode Island logoUniversity of Rhode IslandKingston, RIUniversity of Delaware logoUniversity of DelawareNewark, DE

    Ask AI:ChatGPTClaude

    URI vs University of Delaware at a glance

    URI admits 72.2% of applicants and University of Delaware 70.6% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $22,469 at URI and $16,337 at University of Delaware. Six-year graduation rates are 72.3% and 78.3%, respectively.

    Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025

    What the data shows

    Key differences

    • URI admits 72.2% of applicants and University of Delaware 70.6%, so University of Delaware is the more selective.
    • The average net price after grants is $22,469 a year at URI and $16,337 at University of Delaware; University of Delaware costs $6,132 less a year.
    • For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $15,297 at URI and $5,566 at University of Delaware.
    • 72.3% of students graduate within six years at URI, against 78.3% at University of Delaware.
    • Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,439 for URI and $83,800 for University of Delaware; University of Delaware is $10,361 higher.
    • Graduates leave with median federal debt of $20,500 at URI and $25,000 at University of Delaware.
    • URI enrolls 13,381 students (large suburb) and University of Delaware 19,071 (large suburb).

    Side by side

    URI and University of Delaware in numbers

    The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.

    University of Rhode Island compared with University of Delaware
    MeasureURIUniversity of Delaware
    Admissions
    Acceptance rate72.2%70.6%
    Applicants25,10534,111
    SAT middle 50% (composite)1020–12801190–1370
    ACT middle 50%25–3028–32
    Cost
    Average net price (after grants)$22,469$16,337
    Tuition, in state$17,476$17,660
    Tuition, out of state$38,398$43,220
    Cost of attendance$36,252$30,294
    Net price by family income
    Family income up to $30,000$15,297$5,566
    $30,001–$48,000$15,468$10,783
    $48,001–$75,000$17,805$13,801
    $75,001–$110,000$23,068$19,669
    Over $110,000$31,501$23,862
    Outcomes
    Graduation rate (six years)72.3%78.3%
    First-year retention83.6%92%
    Median earnings, 10 years after entry$73,439$83,800
    Median federal debt at graduation$20,500$25,000
    Typical monthly loan payment$233$284
    Size and setting
    Total students13,38119,071
    TypePublicPublic
    SettingSuburb: LargeSuburb: Large
    LocationKingston, RINewark, DE

    Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

    Bachelor's programs both offer

    URI reports 77 bachelor's programs and University of Delaware 94; 57 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:

    Questions about URI vs University of Delaware

    Every answer uses the figures in the table above.

    Is it harder to get into URI or University of Delaware?

    University of Delaware is harder to get into by acceptance rate: URI admits 72.2% of applicants and University of Delaware admits 70.6%. Middle 50% SAT scores: URI 1020–1280; University of Delaware 1190–1370.

    Which is cheaper, URI or University of Delaware?

    University of Delaware has the lower average net price after grants: $22,469 a year at URI against $16,337 at University of Delaware. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $15,297 and $5,566. Your own price depends on family income and aid.

    Do URI or University of Delaware graduates earn more?

    University of Delaware graduates earn more at the median: $73,439 ten years after entry for URI and $83,800 for University of Delaware. Median federal debt at graduation is $20,500 and $25,000.

    Which has a higher graduation rate, URI or University of Delaware?

    University of Delaware does: 72.3% of URI students graduate within six years, against 78.3% at University of Delaware.

    How big are URI and University of Delaware?

    URI has 13,381 students in Kingston, RI and University of Delaware has 19,071 students in Newark, DE.