CCSU vs. RIC

Deciding between Central Connecticut State University and Rhode Island College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Central Connecticut State University
Rhode Island College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CCSU New Britain, CT
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • CCSU Large Suburban
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CCSU 9,997
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • CCSU Public 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CCSU #546
  • RIC #843
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CCSU -
  • RIC -
  • Status
  • CCSU Non-profit
  • RIC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CCSU
  • RIC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CCSU $13,050
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CCSU $16,550
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & Board
  • CCSU $13,086
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average Net Price
  • CCSU $17,528
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CCSU $8,842
  • RIC $6,706
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CCSU 94%
  • RIC 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CCSU 8,919
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • CCSU 6,540
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CCSU 73.3%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Enrolled
  • CCSU 20.6%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CCSU 1080
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • CCSU
  • RIC
  • Average High School GPA
  • CCSU 3.2
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CCSU B+
  • RIC B
  • Admissions Standards
  • CCSU Easy
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CCSU Low
  • RIC
  • ACT Range
  • CCSU
  • RIC
  • SAT Range
  • CCSU 960/1190
  • RIC 870/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CCSU Test optional
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CCSU Aug 26, 2027
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CCSU 14:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CCSU
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CCSU 47%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CCSU $49,000
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CCSU 63%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CCSU $22,500
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CCSU $232
  • RIC $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CCSU 51%
  • RIC 30%
  • % Women
  • CCSU 49%
  • RIC 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CCSU Medium
  • RIC Medium
  • HBCU
  • CCSU No
  • RIC No
  • % White
  • CCSU 65%
  • RIC 62%
  • % Asian
  • CCSU 4%
  • RIC 3%
  • % Black
  • CCSU 12%
  • RIC 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • CCSU 13%
  • RIC 16%
  • % Native American
  • CCSU 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CCSU 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CCSU 3%
  • RIC 2%
  • % International
  • CCSU 1%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CCSU 2%
  • RIC 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CCSU 92%
  • RIC 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CCSU 8%
  • RIC 13%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CCSU Yes
  • RIC Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CCSU No
  • RIC No
  • Meal Plan
  • CCSU Yes
  • RIC Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CCSU No
  • RIC Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • CCSU Yes
  • RIC Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Connecticut State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (9,997 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Connecticut State University is located in New Britain, CT (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Central Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Connecticut State University 14:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

CCSU vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or RIC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than CCSU ($10,346 vs. $17,528).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 2.4% lower than at Rhode Island College ($13,086 vs. $13,414).
  • Central Connecticut State University is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $1,750 more per year; $13,050.00 vs. $11,300.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.9% higher at RIC than at Central Connecticut State University (about $10,749 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $16,550.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Central Connecticut State University (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Connecticut State University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($8,842 vs. $6,706).

CCSU vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or RIC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RIC and CCSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Connecticut State University (1080) is 80 points higher than at RIC (1000).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Connecticut State University 960/1190; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCSU - Test optional; RIC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CCSU Aug 26, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CCSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at RIC (3.08).
  • RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than CCSU (73.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at CCSU vs. 23.1% at RIC.

CCSU vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCSU and RIC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Central Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Rhode Island College's (44%).
  • Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $1,300 lower median loan debt than CCSU graduates ($21,200 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCSU graduates ($219 vs. $232).
  • More CCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.