SCSU vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern 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: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

SCSU vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 SCSU ($10,346 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 10.2% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($13,414 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $2,138 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at SCSU than at Rhode Island College (about $79 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $27,299.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Southern Connecticut State University (95% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 48.8% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($9,977 vs. $6,706).

SCSU vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCSU 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 SCSU (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 23.1% at RIC.

SCSU vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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).

• The graduation rate at SCSU is the same as at Rhode Island College (44% vs. 44%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($21,200 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($219 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.