RIC vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

RIC vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC or Penn College? 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 Penn College ($10,346 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania College of Technology are 4.4% lower than at Rhode Island College ($12,818 vs. $13,414).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 61.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $6,940 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at RIC than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $1,319 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (95% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($8,964 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC or Penn College? 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 Penn College and RIC.

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIC - Test optional; Penn College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.08) than students at Penn College (3.05).

RIC vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIC and Penn College? 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).

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Pennsylvania College of Technology's (42%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $300 lower median loan debt than Penn College graduates ($21,200 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn College graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.