SCSU vs. RIC

Should I go to Southern Connecticut State University or Rhode Island College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SCSU or RIC 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.

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Southern Connecticut State University vs. Rhode Island College comparison
Southern Connecticut State University Rhode Island College College 3 College 4
Southern Connecticut State University Rhode Island College
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Overview

SCSU RIC
Location New Haven, CT Providence, RI
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,820 5,767
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southernct.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SCSU RIC
Tuition (In State) $6,664 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $19,940 $25,014
Room & Board $14,700 $13,719
Avg Net Price $19,870 $11,549
Avg Grant Aid $8,786 $6,998
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 92%

Admission

SCSU RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,303 4,988
Admitted 6,735 4,045
Acceptance Rate 81.1% 81.1%
Enrolled % 18.2% 20.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 860/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 15, 2026

Academics

SCSU RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

SCSU RIC
Graduation Rate 44% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $240 $219

Diversity

SCSU RIC
% Men 6% 3%
% Women 17% 14%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 62%
% Black 18% 8%
% Hispanic 10% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 10% 8%

Students

SCSU RIC
% In-State 91% 82%
% Out-of-State 8% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Connecticut State University is larger than than RIC based on total student enrollment (8,820 students vs. 5,767 students)

SCSU vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or RIC?

  • Rhode Island College is 42.3% more expensive to attend than SCSU for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $6,664.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.4% higher at RIC than Southern Connecticut State University ($25,014.00 vs. $19,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than SCSU ($11,549 vs. $19,870)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 7.2% lower than costs at Southern Connecticut State University ($13,719 vs. $14,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rhode Island College than Southern Connecticut State University (92% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 25.6% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($8,786 vs. $6,998)

SCSU vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Connecticut State University (918) is 5 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming SCSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman SCSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than RIC (81.1%)

SCSU vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SCSU is the same as at Rhode Island College (44% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn on average $3,800 more per year than RIC graduates after ten years. ($45,800 vs. $42,000)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than SCSU graduates. ($21,200 vs. $23,250)
  • RIC graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans 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/