Empire State University vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Empire State University is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Empire 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: Empire State University 17:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Empire State University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Empire State University 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 Empire State University ($10,346 vs. $11,659).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 5.7% lower than at Empire State University ($13,414 vs. $14,230).
• Rhode Island College is 47.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $3,652 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at RIC than at Empire State University (about $9,741 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Empire State University (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Empire State University students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($8,243 vs. $6,706).

Empire State University vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Empire State University 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 Empire State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Empire State University - Not reported; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.

Empire State University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Empire State University 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).

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Empire State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 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 Empire State University graduates ($21,200 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Empire State University graduates ($219 vs. $240).
• More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 44%)

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.