URI vs UNH: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Rhode Island and University of New Hampshire, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
URI vs UNH at a glance
URI admits 72.2% of applicants and UNH 88.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $22,469 at URI and $26,150 at UNH. Six-year graduation rates are 72.3% and 76.8%, 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 UNH 88.2%, so URI is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $22,469 a year at URI and $26,150 at UNH; URI costs $3,681 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $15,297 at URI and $18,960 at UNH.
- 72.3% of students graduate within six years at URI, against 76.8% at UNH.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,439 for URI and $71,477 for UNH; URI is $1,962 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $20,500 at URI and $25,000 at UNH.
- URI enrolls 13,381 students (large suburb) and UNH 11,261 (small suburb).
Side by side
URI and UNH 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 | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 88.2% |
| Applicants | 25,105 | 20,149 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1020–1280 | 1090–1330 |
| ACT middle 50% | 25–30 | 26–30 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $22,469 | $26,150 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,476 | $19,682 |
| Tuition, out of state | $38,398 | $40,844 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,252 | $37,933 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $15,297 | $18,960 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,468 | $19,732 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,805 | $20,270 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,068 | $22,775 |
| Over $110,000 | $31,501 | $30,808 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 72.3% | 76.8% |
| First-year retention | 83.6% | 87.3% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $73,439 | $71,477 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $20,500 | $25,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $233 | $284 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 13,381 | 11,261 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Small |
| Location | Kingston, RI | Durham, NH |
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 UNH 96; 54 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Psychology, General
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Communication and Media Studies
- Biology, General
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Mechanical Engineering
Questions about URI vs UNH
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into URI or UNH?
URI is harder to get into by acceptance rate: URI admits 72.2% of applicants and UNH admits 88.2%. Middle 50% SAT scores: URI 1020–1280; UNH 1090–1330.
Which is cheaper, URI or UNH?
URI has the lower average net price after grants: $22,469 a year at URI against $26,150 at UNH. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $15,297 and $18,960. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do URI or UNH graduates earn more?
URI graduates earn more at the median: $73,439 ten years after entry for URI and $71,477 for UNH. Median federal debt at graduation is $20,500 and $25,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, URI or UNH?
UNH does: 72.3% of URI students graduate within six years, against 76.8% at UNH.
How big are URI and UNH?
URI has 13,381 students in Kingston, RI and UNH has 11,261 students in Durham, NH.