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URI ECSU SHU SCSU Roger Williams University CCSU Bryant University Endicott College Johnson & Wales University-Providence Bridgewater State Buffalo State College UConn| Western Connecticut State University | Rhode Island College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WestConn | RIC | ||
| Location | Danbury, CT | Providence, RI | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 4,137 | 5,767 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #506 | #705 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcsu.edu | ric.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WestConn | RIC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,664 | $9,481 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,996 | $25,014 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,131 | $13,719 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,527 | $11,549 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,943 | $6,998 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 63% | 92% |
Admission |
WestConn | RIC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,457 | 4,988 | ||
| Admitted | 4,440 | 4,045 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 81.4% | 81.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16% | 20.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.38 | 3.08 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | |||
| SAT Range | 840/1150 | 860/1160 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 15, 2026 |
Academics |
WestConn | RIC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WestConn | RIC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 40% | 44% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,400 | $42,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 65% | 59% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $21,200 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $219 |
Diversity |
WestConn | RIC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 14% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 61% | 62% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 18% | 16% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 2% | ||
| % International | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 8% |
Students |
WestConn | RIC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 82% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 17% | ||
Campus |
WestConn | RIC | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Rhode Island College is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (5,767 students vs. 4,137 students)
WestConn vs. RIC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WestConn or RIC?
- Rhode Island College is 42.3% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $6,664.00)
- Out of state tuition is 150.2% higher at RIC than Western Connecticut State University ($25,014.00 vs. $9,996.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than WestConn ($11,549 vs. $16,527)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 10.3% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($13,719 vs. $15,131)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Rhode Island College than Western Connecticut State University (92% vs. 63%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 13.5% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($7,943 vs. $6,998)
WestConn vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or RIC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RIC or WestConn .
- Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at RIC (3.08)
- WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (81.4%) than RIC (81.1%)
WestConn vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WestConn 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 WestConn.
- The graduation rate at RIC is higher than Western Connecticut State University (44% vs. 40%)
- Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $5,400 more per year than RIC graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $42,000)
- Rhode Island College students graduate with a $3,800 lower median federal student loan debt than WestConn graduates. ($21,200 vs. $25,000)
- RIC graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than WestConn graduates. ($219 vs. $258)
- More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/