UVM vs URI: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Vermont and University of Rhode Island, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UVM vs URI at a glance
UVM admits 65.3% of applicants and URI 72.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $20,277 at UVM and $22,469 at URI. Six-year graduation rates are 81.2% and 72.3%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UVM admits 65.3% of applicants and URI 72.2%, so UVM is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $20,277 a year at UVM and $22,469 at URI; UVM costs $2,192 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $11,915 at UVM and $15,297 at URI.
- 81.2% of students graduate within six years at UVM, against 72.3% at URI.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $68,368 for UVM and $73,439 for URI; URI is $5,071 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $19,500 at UVM and $20,500 at URI.
- UVM enrolls 11,743 students (small city) and URI 13,381 (large suburb).
Side by side
UVM and URI 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 | UVM | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 65.3% | 72.2% |
| Applicants | 25,559 | 25,105 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1290–1440 | 1020–1280 |
| ACT middle 50% | 30–32 | 25–30 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $20,277 | $22,469 |
| Tuition, in state | $19,514 | $17,476 |
| Tuition, out of state | $47,554 | $38,398 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,569 | $36,252 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $11,915 | $15,297 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,762 | $15,468 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,146 | $17,805 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,946 | $23,068 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,966 | $31,501 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 81.2% | 72.3% |
| First-year retention | 89.2% | 83.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $68,368 | $73,439 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $19,500 | $20,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 | $233 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 11,743 | 13,381 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Burlington, VT | Kingston, RI |
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
UVM reports 71 bachelor's programs and URI 77; 46 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
- Psychology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Biology, General
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Mechanical Engineering
Questions about UVM vs URI
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UVM or URI?
UVM is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UVM admits 65.3% of applicants and URI admits 72.2%. Middle 50% SAT scores: UVM 1290–1440; URI 1020–1280.
Which is cheaper, UVM or URI?
UVM has the lower average net price after grants: $20,277 a year at UVM against $22,469 at URI. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $11,915 and $15,297. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UVM or URI graduates earn more?
URI graduates earn more at the median: $68,368 ten years after entry for UVM and $73,439 for URI. Median federal debt at graduation is $19,500 and $20,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UVM or URI?
UVM does: 81.2% of UVM students graduate within six years, against 72.3% at URI.
How big are UVM and URI?
UVM has 11,743 students in Burlington, VT and URI has 13,381 students in Kingston, RI.