URI Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Kingston, RI
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#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

URI Admission Overview

URI admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year URI admitted 72.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.58 GPA (A-) and SAT 1020-1280. URI is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

URI Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

72.2%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Rhode Island

Acceptance Rate

The URI acceptance rate is 72.2%. Last year, 19,475 of 26,987 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in Rhode Island.

Admission Selectivity

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

URI is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Rhode Island typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

URI GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.58

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.58

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at URI typically have around a 3.58 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. URI is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #3 in Rhode Island for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Rhode Island freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

URI Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Rhode Island is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you want scores considered, mark that choice on the Common Application, send official results from the testing agency, and URI will wait for them before reviewing your file. URI superscores both exams and does not require the SAT Essay or ACT Writing.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://web.uri.edu/admission/first-year/

URI SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1020-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

27%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 520
  • Math 500
  • Composite 1020
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Rhode Island

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 630
  • Composite 1280
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Rhode Island

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at URI typically score around a 1150 SAT (middle 50% 1020–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 68th percentile nationally. URI ranks #7 in the state of Rhode Island for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1020 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

URI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Rhode Island
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1280+ Above 75th >83%
1150 to 1280 Avg + 72%-83%
1020 to 1150 Avg - 58%-72%
Below 1020 Below mid-50 <58%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

URI ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Rhode Island

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Rhode Island

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the URI chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Rhode Island admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 16,968 9,498 26,987
Accepted 12,776 6,672 19,475
Acceptance Rate 75% 70% 72%
Enrolled 1,847 1,146 2,995
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 17% 15%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Rhode Island
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

URI is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 72.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.58 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1020-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Rhode Island often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217484.

GPA calculator: University of Rhode Island GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026