When comparing universities, it is essential to consider various factors that contribute to the overall quality and value of the education provided. In this article, we will be comparing the University of Rhode Island (URI) and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). We will analyze the costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes of each institution.
[URI] Overview
The University of Rhode Island (URI) is a public research university founded in 1892, located in Kingston, Rhode Island. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various fields of study, with popular programs in nursing, engineering, and business. URI is known for its cutting-edge research and strong emphasis on experiential learning.
[URI] Costs & Tuition
Tuition at URI varies depending on the student’s residency status. For the academic year 2020-2021, in-state students can expect to pay around $14,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students can expect to pay approximately $32,578. Room and board are estimated to be around $13,138. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with 69% of URI students receiving some form of financial assistance.
[URI] Admissions
URI has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 69%. Applicants are expected to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement. The average SAT score for admitted students is between 1090 and 1260, while the average ACT score ranges from 22 to 28.
[URI] Degrees Offered
URI offers over 90 undergraduate degree programs and over 80 graduate programs. Some popular majors at URI include Nursing, Engineering, and Business Management. The university also offers a variety of online and professional degree options.
[URI] Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, URI provides students with small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. The university emphasizes experiential learning through internships, co-ops, research opportunities, and study abroad programs.
[URI] Diversity
URI is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan outlines various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff. Around 65% of URI students are white, 12% are Hispanic, 6% are Asian, and 5% are Black or African American.
[URI] Students
URI has a total enrollment of over 17,000 students, with approximately 14,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities for students to engage in outside of the classroom.
[URI] Campus
URI’s main campus is located in Kingston, Rhode Island, and spans over 1,200 acres. The campus features state-of-the-art research facilities, athletic complexes, and residence halls. URI also has satellite campuses in Providence, Narragansett, and West Greenwich.
[URI] Alumni
Notable URI alumni include Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s Chief International Anchor, and Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered the Titanic wreckage. URI graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in various fields, including science, journalism, and public service.
[URI] Rankings
URI is ranked #170 in National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It is also ranked #90 in Top Public Schools and #156 in Best Value Schools.
[URI] Outcomes
The average starting salary for URI graduates is around $47,000. The university has a six-year graduation rate of 67%, with 84% of students employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Overview
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a public university founded in 1911, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee and offers a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors in Aerospace Science, Recording Industry, and Education.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Costs & Tuition
For the academic year 2020-2021, in-state students can expect to pay around $9,070 in tuition and fees at MTSU, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $27,742. Room and board are estimated to be around $9,746. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with around 94% of MTSU students receiving some form of financial assistance.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Admissions
MTSU has an acceptance rate of approximately 94%, making it less competitive compared to URI in terms of admissions. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement. The average SAT score for admitted students is between 1030 and 1250, while the average ACT score ranges from 19 to 25.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Degrees Offered
MTSU offers over 140 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs, covering a wide range of fields. Some popular majors include Aerospace Science, Recording Industry, Education, and Business Administration.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, MTSU provides students with individualized attention and support from faculty members. The university focuses on providing hands-on learning experiences through internships, research opportunities, and real-world projects.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Diversity
MTSU is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its campus community. The university’s student body is composed of approximately 63% white, 20% Black or African American, 6% Hispanic, and 3% Asian students.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Students
MTSU has a total enrollment of over 22,000 students, including about 19,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities for students to participate in outside of the classroom.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Campus
MTSU’s campus spans over 500 acres and features modern academic buildings, research facilities, athletic complexes, and residence halls. The campus is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a vibrant city with a rich history and plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Alumni
Notable MTSU alumni include country music stars Chris Young and Hillary Scott, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Wendell Givens. MTSU graduates have found success in various fields, including the music industry, journalism, and education.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Rankings
MTSU is ranked #298-#389 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2021. It is also ranked #157-#209 in Top Public Schools.
[Middle Tennessee State University] Outcome
The average starting salary for MTSU graduates is around $37,900. The university has a six-year graduation rate of 44%, with 84% of students employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
[URI] vs [Middle Tennessee State University] Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending URI and MTSU, it is evident that MTSU is cheaper for both in-state and out-of-state students. In-state students can expect to pay around $14,566 in tuition and fees at URI, compared to $9,070 at MTSU. Out-of-state students will find MTSU more affordable as well, with tuition and fees totaling around $27,742, compared to $32,578 at URI. Room and board expenses are also lower at MTSU, estimated at $9,746, while URI’s estimate is $13,138.
[URI] vs [Middle Tennessee State University] Admissions Difficulty
In terms of admissions, MTSU has a significantly higher acceptance rate (94%) compared to URI (69%). This indicates that it is easier to gain admission to MTSU than it is to URI. The average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students are also slightly lower at MTSU, making it less competitive in terms of academic requirements.
[URI] vs [Middle Tennessee State University] Academic Difficulty
While both URI and MTSU offer a wide range of academic programs and opportunities for hands-on learning, URI is ranked higher in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. This suggests that URI may offer more rigorous and competitive academic programs compared to MTSU. Additionally, URI has a slightly lower student-faculty ratio (16:1) compared to MTSU (17:1), which may translate to more individualized attention and support for students.
[URI] vs [Middle Tennessee State University] Outcome Comparison
When comparing the outcomes for graduates of URI and MTSU, URI appears to have the advantage. The average starting salary for URI graduates is around $47,000, compared to $37,900 for MTSU graduates. URI also has a higher six-year graduation rate (67%) compared to MTSU (44%). Both universities have similar employment rates within six months of graduation, at 84%.
