Worcester State University vs. URI

Deciding between Worcester State 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.

Worcester State University
University of Rhode Island

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • URI Kingston, RI
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • URI Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • URI 17,210
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • URI Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • URI #425
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Worcester State University -
  • URI -
  • Status
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • URI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Worcester State University
  • URI
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • URI $16,942
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • URI $37,146
  • Room & Board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • URI $15,607
  • Average Net Price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • URI $24,118
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • URI $12,578
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • URI 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • URI 26,987
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • URI 19,475
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • URI 72.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • URI 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • URI 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • URI
  • Average High School GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • URI 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • URI A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • URI Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Worcester State University
  • URI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Worcester State University
  • URI
  • SAT Range
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • URI 1020/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • URI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • URI Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • URI 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • URI
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • URI 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • URI $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • URI 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • URI $23,438
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • URI $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • URI 41%
  • % Women
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • URI 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Worcester State University Low
  • URI Low
  • HBCU
  • Worcester State University No
  • URI No
  • % White
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • URI 71%
  • % Asian
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • URI 3%
  • % Black
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • URI 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • URI 9%
  • % Native American
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • URI 3%
  • % International
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • URI 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • URI 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • URI 42%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • URI 57%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester State University in Worcester, 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 Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (17,210 students vs. 5,745 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); University of Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

Worcester State University vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State 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 Worcester State University than URI ($12,778 vs. $24,118).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 8.3% lower than at University of Rhode Island ($14,307 vs. $15,607).
  • University of Rhode Island is 43.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $5,156 more per year; $16,942.00 vs. $11,786.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107.9% higher at URI than at Worcester State University (about $19,280 more per year; $37,146.00 vs. $17,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rhode Island than at Worcester State University (96% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rhode Island students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($12,578 vs. $9,464).

Worcester State University vs. URI Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Worcester State University (1150) is the same as at URI (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; URI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027; URI Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman URI students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than URI (72.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 15.4% at URI.

Worcester State University vs. URI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State 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 Worcester State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Worcester State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $3,438 lower median loan debt than URI graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,438).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than URI graduates ($206 vs. $242).
  • More URI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.