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#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

URI Admission Requirements

Kingston, Rhode Island

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Your chances of getting into University of Rhode Island

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

76.4%
Admission Difficulty for University of Rhode Island
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at URI is 76.4%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in Rhode Island.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into URI and can you get accepted?

University of Rhode Island is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 19,465 out of the 25,481 who applied were admitted.

University of Rhode Island typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into URI?

76% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Rhode Island you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.58 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1160 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

URI GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.58

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Rhode Island?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into URI are to have around a 3.58 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.58 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as URI accepts 76% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at URI is 3.58 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Rhode Island for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since URI is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Rhode Island students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 17.64% Good
3.75 to 3.99 15.69% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 31.14% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.36% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.33% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.19% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.66% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

URI SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Rhode Island. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% of students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1270

Applicants Submitting SAT 

29%
SAT Scores for University of Rhode Island
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 520
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for University of Rhode Island
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1270
Average SAT Score 1160

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Rhode Island?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at URI is 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1270. Students who get into University of Rhode Island score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  URI ranks #7 in the state of Rhode Island for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. URI regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Rhode Island is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1160, you have around a 76% chance of being admitted. A 1270 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 86% chance of getting in.

University of Rhode Island admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1270 and Above Good >86%
1160 to 1270 Avg + 76%-86%
1050 to 1160 Avg - 62%-76%
940 to 1050 Reach 47%-62%
Less than 940 Low <47%
Calculate My Chances 

URI ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for University of Rhode Island
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for University of Rhode Island
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into URI?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to URI is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30.  The school ranks #6 in Rhode Island for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Rhode Island.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Rhode Island is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into URI for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 76% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 30 ACT score.

University of Rhode Island admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >87%
27 to 30 Avg + 76%-87%
25 to 27 Avg - 65%-76%
23 to 25 Reach 53%-65%
Less than 23 Low <53%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

87% of University of Rhode Island freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 49% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Rhode Island students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17.8%
Top 25% of class 48.6%
Top 50% of class 87%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Rhode Island admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 15,909 9,571 25,481
Accepted 12,490 6,975 19,465
Acceptance Rate 79% 73% 76%
Enrolled 2,073 1,347 3,420
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 19% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

72

Applicants have 72 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Rhode Island is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Rhode Island and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Rhode Island Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Rhode Island
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Rhode Island is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.58 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1160 and ACT of 27 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Rhode Island often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217484 IPEDS survey data for University of Rhode Island.

Last updated February 24, 2024