Reviewing the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI

Reviewing the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI can be a little disheartening because in the state of Rhode Island you are more likely to hear educational accolades thrown around more in the direction of Ivy League member, Brown University, Dominican run Providence College or nationally recognized Rhode Island School of Design. Truth to tell there is a fourth impressive undergraduate school in Rhode Island. Reviewing the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI can give you a window into a school that offers solid education at what can be seen in the Northeast as bargain prices.

A University from a Farm . When you consider the back story of the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI you have to marvel at the progress and development that have occurred here. In 1888 the state allowed for the establishment of an agricultural school to be housed on an old farmstead which became the first step in the building of a today's state university. The school slowly grew to accommodate those who had mechanical interests in addition to the agriculturally leaning student body. But the numbers were small and the facilities limited for nearly several decades.

It was not until 1951 that the school had developed enough to be renamed and reconstitute by the Rhode Island state legislature as the University of Rhode Island. Today URI houses a mid sized undergraduate college of some 13,000 students. An additional 4,000 students seek graduate programs or are involved in research centered curriculum at the graduate level. There is no doubt that within the state of Rhode Island, URI struggles for recognition among other better known and well funded colleges. But a review of Rhode Island University will make it clear that URI has grown and developed in ways that allow it to offer students diversified educational programs at a remarkable price.

Academic Programs. Like many large and mid-sized universities in the U. S., the University of Rhode Island distributes its undergraduate population among several undergraduate colleges. Students who come to URI have the chance to select courses from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Business School, Nursing School, College of Engineering, College of Environment and Life Sciences among others. In total students will find a total of some 80 majors presented for their selection.

What adds to the overall academic rating of the University of Rhode Island is the fact that this school is well known throughout New England and beyond for its research and graduate level programs. The result of the strength of these programs is a trick down effect which allows undergrads to benefit from the teaching and research presence on campus of outstanding faculty members.

A sign of the academic advantages that are attached to coming to URI is the fact that this state college possesses the largest college library in the state. Students who attend URI discover to their delight that studying at URI has networking benefits. Because the state is small and the number of graduates from URI is large the odds for finding help in world of work after graduation from among URI alums is very good.

On Campus Fun. Within the state of RI , URI has a reputation for being a very socially minded institution. There is no doubt that URI students find plenty of organizations, groups and clubs from which to choose. Because of its seaside location URI has a few unique options not found at inland campuses like Scuba Diving and Sailing. Even though the population of Rhode Island has a large Italian population you will find plenty of Greek life at URI in the form of sororities and fraternities.

Lots of students get involved in on campus athletics. There are plenty of intramural and club sports to join and facilities to assist those interested in maintaining fitness or wellness programs. URI is home to sports teams bearing the name the "Rams" and competes in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I level. URI brings Atlantic 10 competition to campus for the enjoyment of the entire student body and is not without post season appearances in its record book.

You can expect to find all the other standard organizations on campus as well like student government, musical group, service organizations and religious groups. While the Kingston location does not allow for big city activities, student activities and recreation do benefit from the nearness of the ocean.

The Price is Right. No one will argue that the University of Rhode Island can compete academically with its cross state rival Brown University. Brown after all is a Ivy League University with a huge endowment , top notch staff and facilities. But at Brown all of the above comes with a rather hefty price tag.

At URI students can receive a quality education that will qualify them for graduate school programs and possibly connect them to in state employment opportunities. They can enjoy a beautiful seaside campus in a rural setting for four years. They can enjoy a full menu of campus clubs and organizations. What many students realize as they start reviewing the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI is that this is a state university which can provide them with all of these college pluses at a public college price. In state students can expect to pay only $7,000 in tuition, there is even a regional tuition mark down at $11,000 while out of area students will pay, what is still a college bargain price, some $ 22,000

URI is a college that may just have the right combination of courses , location and price to meet your idea of the school for you.