VSU vs. RIC

Deciding between Valdosta State 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.

Valdosta State University
Rhode Island College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • VSU Valdosta, GA
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • VSU Small City
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • VSU 10,262
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • VSU Public 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • VSU #964
  • RIC #843
  • Religious Affiliation
  • VSU -
  • RIC -
  • Status
  • VSU Non-profit
  • RIC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • VSU
  • RIC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • VSU $6,124
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • VSU $17,836
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & Board
  • VSU $9,530
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average Net Price
  • VSU $11,144
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average Grant Aid
  • VSU $10,206
  • RIC $6,706
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • VSU 93%
  • RIC 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • VSU 6,253
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • VSU 4,520
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance Rate
  • VSU 72.3%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Enrolled
  • VSU 26%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • VSU 1010
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • VSU 19
  • RIC
  • Average High School GPA
  • VSU 3.23
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical High School Grades
  • VSU B+
  • RIC B
  • Admissions Standards
  • VSU Extremely Easy
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • VSU Low
  • RIC
  • ACT Range
  • VSU 16/22
  • RIC
  • SAT Range
  • VSU 920/1100
  • RIC 870/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • VSU Required
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • VSU Jun 15, 2027
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • VSU 17:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • VSU
    • Business (21%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • VSU 43%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • VSU $40,300
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • VSU 41%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • VSU $25,000
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • VSU $258
  • RIC $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • VSU 31%
  • RIC 30%
  • % Women
  • VSU 69%
  • RIC 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • VSU High
  • RIC Medium
  • HBCU
  • VSU No
  • RIC No
  • % White
  • VSU 51%
  • RIC 62%
  • % Asian
  • VSU 1%
  • RIC 3%
  • % Black
  • VSU 36%
  • RIC 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • VSU 5%
  • RIC 16%
  • % Native American
  • VSU 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • VSU 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • VSU 3%
  • RIC 2%
  • % International
  • VSU 3%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • VSU 0%
  • RIC 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • VSU 73%
  • RIC 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • VSU 26%
  • RIC 13%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Valdosta State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Valdosta State University is located in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Valdosta State University 17:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

VSU vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU 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 VSU ($10,346 vs. $11,144).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 29% lower than at Rhode Island College ($9,530 vs. $13,414).
  • Rhode Island College is 84.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $5,176 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $6,124.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at RIC than at Valdosta State University (about $9,463 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $17,836.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Valdosta State University (95% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 52.2% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($10,206 vs. $6,706).

VSU vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VSU 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 VSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valdosta State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at RIC (1000).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 920/1100; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Required; RIC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at RIC (3.08).
  • RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than VSU (72.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at VSU vs. 23.1% at RIC.

VSU vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU 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).

  • Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Valdosta State University's (43%).
  • Graduates from Rhode Island College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($21,200 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($219 vs. $258).
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 41%)

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.