RIC vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

RIC vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown ($10,346 vs. $10,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 24.1% lower than at Rhode Island College ($10,176 vs. $13,414).
• Rhode Island College is 46.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $3,592 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.6% higher at RIC than at University of Houston Downtown (about $9,751 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at University of Houston Downtown (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 53% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($10,257 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and RIC.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 30 points higher than at RIC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIC - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

RIC vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIC and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $2,450 lower median loan debt than RIC graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIC graduates ($193 vs. $219).
• More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 41%)

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.