Suffolk University vs. URI

Deciding between Suffolk University and University of Rhode Island? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Suffolk University
University of Rhode Island

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Suffolk University Boston, MA
  • URI Kingston, RI
  • Setting
  • Suffolk University Large City
  • URI Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Suffolk University 6,356
  • URI 17,210
  • Type
  • Suffolk University Private 4 Year
  • URI Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Suffolk University #521
  • URI #425
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Suffolk University -
  • URI -
  • Status
  • Suffolk University Non-profit
  • URI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Suffolk University
  • URI
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • URI $16,942
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • URI $37,146
  • Room & Board
  • Suffolk University $21,326
  • URI $15,607
  • Average Net Price
  • Suffolk University $33,832
  • URI $24,118
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University $31,558
  • URI $12,578
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University 98%
  • URI 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Suffolk University 10,308
  • URI 26,987
  • Admitted
  • Suffolk University 8,487
  • URI 19,475
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Suffolk University 82.3%
  • URI 72.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Suffolk University 10.9%
  • URI 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Suffolk University 1200
  • URI 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Suffolk University 26
  • URI
  • Average High School GPA
  • Suffolk University 3.33
  • URI 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Suffolk University B+
  • URI A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Suffolk University Challenging
  • URI Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Suffolk University
  • URI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Suffolk University 24/28
  • URI
  • SAT Range
  • Suffolk University 1090/1300
  • URI 1020/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Suffolk University Test optional
  • URI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027
  • URI Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Suffolk University 15:1
  • URI 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Suffolk University
    • Business (39%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • URI
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Suffolk University 54%
  • URI 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Suffolk University $59,100
  • URI $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Suffolk University 70%
  • URI 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Suffolk University $27,000
  • URI $23,438
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Suffolk University $279
  • URI $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Suffolk University 36%
  • URI 41%
  • % Women
  • Suffolk University 64%
  • URI 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Suffolk University Very High
  • URI Low
  • HBCU
  • Suffolk University No
  • URI No
  • % White
  • Suffolk University 40%
  • URI 71%
  • % Asian
  • Suffolk University 8%
  • URI 3%
  • % Black
  • Suffolk University 6%
  • URI 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Suffolk University 11%
  • URI 9%
  • % Native American
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Suffolk University 2%
  • URI 3%
  • % International
  • Suffolk University 23%
  • URI 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Suffolk University 9%
  • URI 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Suffolk University 58%
  • URI 42%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Suffolk University 31%
  • URI 57%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • URI Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Suffolk University No
  • URI No
  • Meal Plan
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • URI Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • URI No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Suffolk University No
  • URI Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Suffolk University in Boston, MA with University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rhode Island is larger than Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (17,210 students vs. 6,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Suffolk University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Suffolk University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Suffolk University 15:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

Suffolk University vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk University or URI? 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 University of Rhode Island than Suffolk University ($24,118 vs. $33,832).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rhode Island are 26.8% lower than at Suffolk University ($15,607 vs. $21,326).
  • Suffolk University is 180.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than URI (about $30,608 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $16,942.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Suffolk University than at University of Rhode Island (about $10,404 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $37,146.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Suffolk University than at University of Rhode Island (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 150.9% larger than aid received by University of Rhode Island students ($31,558 vs. $12,578).

Suffolk University vs. URI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Suffolk University or URI? 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 URI and Suffolk University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Suffolk University (1200) is 50 points higher than at URI (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 1090/1300; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Suffolk University - Test optional; URI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027; URI Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman URI students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Suffolk University (3.33).
  • Suffolk University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than URI (72.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Suffolk University vs. 15.4% at URI.

Suffolk University vs. URI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Suffolk University and URI? 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).

  • University of Rhode Island's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Suffolk University's (54%).
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than URI graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,100 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rhode Island graduates have a $3,562 lower median loan debt than Suffolk University graduates ($23,438 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, URI graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Suffolk University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former URI students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.