Arkansas State University vs. RIC

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Rhode Island College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or RIC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Rhode Island College comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Rhode Island College College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Rhode Island College
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Overview

Arkansas State University RIC
Location Jonesboro, AR Providence, RI
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,032 5,767
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #863 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University RIC
Tuition (In State) $7,176 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $13,248 $25,014
Room & Board $11,100 $13,719
Avg Net Price $13,002 $11,549
Avg Grant Aid $10,720 $6,998
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 92%

Admission

Arkansas State University RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,019 4,988
Admitted 5,587 4,045
Acceptance Rate 69.7% 81.1%
Enrolled % 29.7% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1180 860/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 15, 2026

Academics

Arkansas State University RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University RIC
Graduation Rate 38% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $201 $219

Diversity

Arkansas State University RIC
% Men 11% 3%
% Women 26% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 62%
% Black 14% 8%
% Hispanic 2% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

Arkansas State University RIC
% In-State 75% 82%
% Out-of-State 17% 17%

Campus

Arkansas State University RIC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than RIC based on total student enrollment (14,032 students vs. 5,767 students)

Arkansas State University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or RIC?

  • Rhode Island College is 32.1% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $7,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 88.8% higher at RIC than Arkansas State University Main Campus ($25,014.00 vs. $13,248.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than Arkansas State University ($11,549 vs. $13,002)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 23.6% lower than costs at Rhode Island College ($11,100 vs. $13,719)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Rhode Island College (95% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 53.2% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($10,720 vs. $6,998)

Arkansas State University vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or RIC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RIC or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 175 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • RIC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Arkansas State University (69.7%)

Arkansas State University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or RIC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RIC and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at RIC is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (44% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn on average $6,000 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,700 lower median federal student loan debt than RIC graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,200)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than RIC graduates. ($201 vs. $219)
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/