URI vs UMass Amherst: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Rhode Island and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
URI vs UMass Amherst at a glance
URI admits 72.2% of applicants and UMass Amherst 59.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $22,469 at URI and $22,857 at UMass Amherst. Six-year graduation rates are 72.3% and 81.2%, 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 UMass Amherst 59.7%, so UMass Amherst is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $22,469 a year at URI and $22,857 at UMass Amherst; URI costs $388 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $15,297 at URI and $10,294 at UMass Amherst.
- 72.3% of students graduate within six years at URI, against 81.2% at UMass Amherst.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,439 for URI and $80,486 for UMass Amherst; UMass Amherst is $7,047 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $20,500 at URI and $21,500 at UMass Amherst.
- URI enrolls 13,381 students (large suburb) and UMass Amherst 23,671 (large suburb).
Side by side
URI and UMass Amherst 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.
| Measure | URI | UMass Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 59.7% |
| Applicants | 25,105 | 42,540 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1020–1280 | 1310–1500 |
| ACT middle 50% | 25–30 | 30–33 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $22,469 | $22,857 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,476 | $18,487 |
| Tuition, out of state | $38,398 | $41,759 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,252 | $36,842 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $15,297 | $10,294 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,468 | $10,343 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,805 | $12,020 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,068 | $17,769 |
| Over $110,000 | $31,501 | $33,795 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 72.3% | 81.2% |
| First-year retention | 83.6% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $73,439 | $80,486 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $20,500 | $21,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $233 | $244 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 13,381 | 23,671 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Kingston, RI | Amherst, MA |
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 UMass Amherst 73; 47 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about URI vs UMass Amherst
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into URI or UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst is harder to get into by acceptance rate: URI admits 72.2% of applicants and UMass Amherst admits 59.7%. Middle 50% SAT scores: URI 1020–1280; UMass Amherst 1310–1500.
Which is cheaper, URI or UMass Amherst?
URI has the lower average net price after grants: $22,469 a year at URI against $22,857 at UMass Amherst. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $15,297 and $10,294. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do URI or UMass Amherst graduates earn more?
UMass Amherst graduates earn more at the median: $73,439 ten years after entry for URI and $80,486 for UMass Amherst. Median federal debt at graduation is $20,500 and $21,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, URI or UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst does: 72.3% of URI students graduate within six years, against 81.2% at UMass Amherst.
How big are URI and UMass Amherst?
URI has 13,381 students in Kingston, RI and UMass Amherst has 23,671 students in Amherst, MA.