VSU vs. RIC

Should I go to Valdosta State University or Rhode Island College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VSU 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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Valdosta State University vs. Rhode Island College comparison
Valdosta State University Rhode Island College College 3 College 4
Valdosta State University Rhode Island College
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Overview

VSU RIC
Location Valdosta, GA Providence, RI
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 10,209 5,787
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #982 #720
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website valdosta.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VSU RIC
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $15,426 $25,014
Room & Board $8,922 $13,414
Avg Net Price $12,836 $11,014
Avg Grant Aid $9,875 $7,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 62%

Admission

VSU RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,975 3,921
Admitted 4,451 3,432
Acceptance Rate 89.5% 87.5%
Enrolled % 25.3% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 950/1130 870/1110
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 15, 2025 Mar 15, 2025

Academics

VSU RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

VSU RIC
Graduation Rate 43% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 41% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $258 $219

Diversity

VSU RIC
% Men 31% 29%
% Women 69% 71%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 62%
% Black 36% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 8%

Students

VSU RIC
% In-State 69% 80%
% Out-of-State 30% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Valdosta State University is larger than than RIC based on total student enrollment (10,209 students vs. 5,787 students)

VSU vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or RIC?

  • Rhode Island College is 116.9% more expensive to attend than VSU for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.2% higher at RIC than Valdosta State University ($25,014.00 vs. $15,426.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than VSU ($11,014 vs. $12,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 50.3% lower than costs at Rhode Island College ($8,922 vs. $13,414)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Valdosta State University than Rhode Island College (99% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 31% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($9,875 vs. $7,537)

VSU vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Valdosta State University (993) is 80 points higher than at RIC (913)
  • Incoming VSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at RIC (19)
  • Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • VSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than RIC (87.5%)

VSU vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VSU 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 VSU.

  • The graduation rate at RIC is higher than Valdosta State University (44% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn on average $1,700 more per year than VSU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $40,300)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $3,800 lower median federal student loan debt than VSU graduates. ($21,200 vs. $25,000)
  • RIC graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than VSU graduates. ($219 vs. $258)
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU 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/