URI-Kingston vs University of Georgia (UGA)

When it comes to higher education, the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the University of Georgia (UGA) stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. URI, located in the charming coastal town of Kingston, Rhode Island, boasts a strong focus on marine and environmental sciences, while UGA, situated in the vibrant city of Athens, Georgia, excels in fields like business, agriculture, and engineering. With acceptance rates of 79% and 49%, respectively, both universities offer a welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds. While URI's student body is predominantly White (73%), UGA's student population is more diverse, with 59% White, 13% Black or African American, and 10% Hispanic or Latino students. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision.

	University of Georgia	University of Rhode Island
Overview
Location	Athens, Georgia	Kingston, Rhode Island
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.0%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1270 - 1450	1090 - 1290
ACT range	29 - 33	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	30.0%
Students submitting ACT score	40.0%	3.0%
Total number of applicants	39,229	25,105
Total number of admissions given out	15,685	19,196
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,819	3,340
Yield rate	37.1%	17.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,622 Out of state: $45,662	In state: $31,614 Out of state: $49,636
Average net price	$16,902	$20,496
Tuition	In state: $9,790 Out of state: $28,830	In state: $13,250 Out of state: $31,272
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,292 Meal plan: $4,036	Room/dormitory: $8,340 Meal plan: $5,500
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $11,045	94.0% Average amount $12,949
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,227	61.0% Average amount $5,252
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $13,477	18.0% Average amount $18,913

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,166 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	14,744 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	9,952 Men 38.2% Women 61.8%	2,767 Men 37.5% Women 62.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	17.5%	60.3%
International students	4.8%	2.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,050	5,523
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Texas North Carolina Florida New York	Rhode Island Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Communication and Journalism Education Health Professions Engineering	Health Professions Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.8%	70.0%
Dropout rate	3.6%	28.7%
Transferred out	7.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,603 Year 2: $120,325 Year 3: $122,859 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,544 Year 2: $111,283 Year 3: $122,491 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $117,307 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,726 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $92,754 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,513 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $91,218 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $87,059 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $85,532 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,138 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $79,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,908 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $79,190 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,622 Year 2: $64,068 Year 3: $78,529 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,002 Year 2: $77,144 Year 3: $77,709	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,221 Year 2: $113,894 Year 3: $119,883 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,532 Year 2: $109,286 Year 3: $115,106 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,037 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $86,487 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,976 Year 2: $71,473 Year 3: $86,408 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,309 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $79,045 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,134 Year 2: $72,693 Year 3: $78,528 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,485 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $77,404 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $73,720 Year 3: $75,985 Ocean Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,071 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $73,268 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,907 Year 2: $63,880 Year 3: $72,515

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the University of Georgia (UGA)?

URI is located in Kingston, Rhode Island, a coastal town offering a classic New England experience with access to beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere. UGA is situated in Athens, Georgia, a vibrant college town with a thriving music scene and a warmer climate. UGA's campus is larger and more integrated into the city of Athens, while URI has a more self-contained campus feel.
How do the academic programs at URI and UGA compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. UGA is generally recognized for its strong programs in journalism, business, and law. URI is known for its programs in oceanography, pharmacy, and engineering. The specific strengths of each institution will depend on your individual academic interests. Research the specific departments and programs within each university to determine the best fit for your academic goals.
What is the cost of attendance like at URI versus UGA?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, varies depending on residency status. Generally, URI tends to be more affordable for in-state students due to Rhode Island's lower cost of living compared to Georgia. Out-of-state tuition at both universities can be significant. It's essential to check the most current tuition and fee information on each university's website and factor in potential financial aid and scholarships.
How do the student life and extracurricular activities differ at URI and UGA?

UGA boasts a very active and spirited student life, heavily influenced by its strong athletic programs, particularly football. Athens offers a rich cultural scene with live music venues and a lively downtown. URI provides a more relaxed student life, with a focus on outdoor activities due to its proximity to the coast. Both universities offer a wide variety of student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports, but the overall atmosphere differs significantly.
What are the athletic programs like at URI and UGA?

UGA is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a Power Five conference, and has a nationally recognized athletic program, especially in football, which generates significant school spirit and attendance. URI competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference and has a more modest athletic profile. While URI offers competitive sports, the scale and prominence of athletics are considerably different compared to UGA.
How does the size of the student body impact the experience at URI and UGA?

UGA has a significantly larger student body than URI. This means more diverse opportunities and a wider range of social circles at UGA. URI offers a more intimate campus environment, which can foster closer relationships with professors and a stronger sense of community. The best fit depends on your preference for a large or smaller university setting.
What are the career services and opportunities like at URI and UGA?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. UGA, with its larger alumni network and location in a state with a growing economy, may offer more extensive career opportunities in certain fields. URI's location in New England provides access to opportunities in the Northeast. Research the specific career services and industry connections relevant to your field of study at each university.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity compare between URI and UGA?

UGA is generally considered to be more selective in its admissions process than URI. Both universities consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), extracurricular activities, and essays. Admission standards can vary year to year, so it's important to review the most current admission requirements on each university's website.
What are the housing options like at URI and UGA?

Both universities offer on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments. UGA has a larger selection of on-campus housing due to its larger student body. Off-campus housing is available near both universities. The availability and cost of housing will vary, so it's important to research the specific options and application processes for each university.
Which university, URI or UGA, is a better fit for me?

The best university for you depends on your individual preferences and priorities. Consider your academic interests, desired campus environment, preferred climate, and financial situation. If you value a coastal location, a more intimate campus, and potentially lower in-state tuition, URI might be a good fit. If you prefer a large university with a vibrant social scene, strong athletics, and a warmer climate, UGA might be a better choice. Visit both campuses if possible, and research the specific programs and resources that align with your goals.

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