Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. Rhode Island admits about 7 in 10 applicants (75%). That puts it in the "Selective" tier, more selective than 55% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Applicants from Rhode Island and from other states were admitted at similar rates (73% and 75%).
$65 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 70%, women at 75%.
Yield
16% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 1,430 offered a place, 60 accepted, 9 admitted (15% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 74% admitted
150 of 202 early applicants; 75% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 1
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Dec 1; decisions by Dec 15
Where you stand
How U. Rhode Island reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. 43% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 23% of first-years sent an SAT and 1% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 42% whose high school reported a rank, 19% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 2 of science, and 2 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Important | ||||
| Work experience | Important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
65% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 75% of first-year applicants
1,718 applied · 1,124 admitted · 628 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 24 s completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by July 28
- Spring entry: apply by December 13
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required of some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 1 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $200 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 1) | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 |
| History | 0 |
| Academic electives | 5 |
| Total | 18 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.65
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.028%
- 3.75–3.9915%
- 3.50–3.7421%
- 3.25–3.4913%
- 3.00–3.2415%
- below 3.08%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 28.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 15.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 21.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 13.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 15.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 7.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
19% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 48% in the top quarter, of the 42% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Rhode Island Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1193 on the SAT, 23 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
47% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1200–1399.
37% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
15% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
41% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 600–699.
43% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
24% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 23% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 1% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
775 studentssubmitted ACT
51 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:University of Rhode Island Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Rhode Island Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Rhode Island Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)