Lesley University vs. RIC

Deciding between Lesley University and Rhode Island College? 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.

Lesley University
Rhode Island College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lesley University
  • RIC #843
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lesley University -
  • RIC -
  • Status
  • Lesley University Non-profit
  • RIC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lesley University
  • RIC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & Board
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average Net Price
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • RIC $6,706
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lesley University 100%
  • RIC 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lesley University
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lesley University
  • RIC
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lesley University B+
  • RIC B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lesley University
  • RIC
  • ACT Range
  • Lesley University
  • RIC
  • SAT Range
  • Lesley University
  • RIC 870/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Lesley University
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Lesley University 49%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Lesley University 63%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Lesley University $251
  • RIC $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Lesley University 23%
  • RIC 30%
  • % Women
  • Lesley University 77%
  • RIC 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lesley University Medium
  • RIC Medium
  • HBCU
  • Lesley University No
  • RIC No
  • % White
  • Lesley University 67%
  • RIC 62%
  • % Asian
  • Lesley University 4%
  • RIC 3%
  • % Black
  • Lesley University 7%
  • RIC 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lesley University 10%
  • RIC 16%
  • % Native American
  • Lesley University 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lesley University 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lesley University 3%
  • RIC 2%
  • % International
  • Lesley University 2%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lesley University 6%
  • RIC 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lesley University 62%
  • RIC 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lesley University 34%
  • RIC 13%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Lesley University Yes
  • RIC Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Lesley University No
  • RIC No
  • Meal Plan
  • Lesley University Yes
  • RIC Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Lesley University Yes
  • RIC Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Lesley University No
  • RIC Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Lesley University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Lesley University ($10,346 vs. $32,587).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 32.7% lower than at Lesley University ($13,414 vs. $19,920).
  • Lesley University is 203.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $22,956 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $11,300.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at Lesley University than at Rhode Island College (about $6,957 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $27,299.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Rhode Island College (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 185.8% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($19,167 vs. $6,706).

Lesley University vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or RIC? 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 RIC and Lesley University.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island College 870/1120.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; RIC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at RIC (3.08).
  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than RIC (91.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Lesley University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and RIC? 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).

  • Lesley University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Rhode Island College's (44%).
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,120 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,320).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($219 vs. $251).
  • More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.