RIC vs. SFASU

Should I go to Rhode Island College or Stephen F Austin State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if RIC or SFASU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

URI SHSU Tarleton Texas A&M Texas State UT Tyler SHU UH Roger Williams University UNT Texas Tech MSU
Rhode Island College vs. Stephen F Austin State University comparison
Rhode Island College Stephen F Austin State University College 3 College 4
Rhode Island College Stephen F Austin State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 RIC SFASU
Location Providence, RI Nacogdoches, TX
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,767 10,888
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ric.edu sfasu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 RIC SFASU
Tuition (In State) $9,481 $7,842
Tuition (Out of State) $25,014 $17,922
Room & Board $13,719 $11,142
Avg Net Price $11,549 $15,498
Avg Grant Aid $6,998 $8,695
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 80%

Admission

 RIC SFASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,988 12,591
Admitted 4,045 11,112
Acceptance Rate 81.1% 88.3%
Enrolled % 20.1% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.08 3.26
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 860/1160 980/1160
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, 2025

Academics

 RIC SFASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

 RIC SFASU
Graduation Rate 44% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,200 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $219 $258

Diversity

 RIC SFASU
% Men 3% 4%
% Women 14% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 57%
% Black 8% 20%
% Hispanic 16% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

 RIC SFASU
% In-State 82% 98%
% Out-of-State 17% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Stephen F Austin State University is larger than than RIC based on total student enrollment (10,888 students vs. 5,767 students)

RIC vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC or SFASU?

  • Rhode Island College is 20.9% more expensive to attend than SFASU for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $7,842.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.6% higher at RIC than Stephen F Austin State University ($25,014.00 vs. $17,922.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than SFASU ($11,549 vs. $15,498)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 23.1% lower than costs at Rhode Island College ($11,142 vs. $13,719)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rhode Island College than Stephen F Austin State University (92% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 24.2% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($8,695 vs. $6,998)

RIC vs. SFASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Stephen F Austin State University (1001) is 88 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming SFASU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than RIC (81.1%)

RIC vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, RIC or SFASU? 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 SFASU and RIC.

  • The graduation rate at RIC is the same as at Stephen F Austin State University (44% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than RIC graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,000)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $3,800 lower median federal student loan debt than SFASU graduates. ($21,200 vs. $25,000)
  • RIC graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than SFASU graduates. ($219 vs. $258)
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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