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URI Marching Band

12 big things about uri

student behind camera

Major choices.

URI offers more than 80 majors and more than 50 minors. In fact, we're always creating new majors to respond to the world's changing needs. If options are a big deal to you, URI is the place to be.

two students dressed professionally walking together

Smart value.

The Wall Street Journal's Smart Money magazine ranks URI the top value in New England for return on tuition investment. The ranking is based on a nationwide survey comparing tuition costs against graduate earning power.

buildings and landscaping

Bricks and mortar rock.

From certified green buildings and high-tech labs, to a completely wireless campus and newer residence halls, to a new student wellness center and award-winning dining hall, URI has invested nearly $1 billion since 1990 in building or improving more than 50 buildings University-wide.

faculty member by the ocean

Wanted professors.

URI faculty experts are wanted around the world. Jimmie Oxley collaborates with Homeland Security and other governments to combat terrorism. Martin Bide helped the FBI develop a fabric dye database. Stephan Grilli and Isaac Ginis are global leaders in tsunami and hurricane research.

student gardening

One of our colors is green.

From green buildings and research vessels, to energy research and sustainable agriculture, to oil spill clean-ups and more, URI students and faculty have always been at the forefront of environmental issues. In fact, Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges has named URI one of the nation's most eco-friendly campuses.

female student intern at Gillette Stadium holding Patriots helmet

Internships kick off your career.

New England Patriots. Alex and Ani. FM Global. The Boston Globe. Naval Undersea Warfare Center. Olympic Training Center. New England Sports Network. Bed, Bath, and Beyond. These are just a few examples of the internships that have helped land our students jobs.

student teaching young girl on surfboard

Strong conscience.

Our students donate their time teaching disabled children to surf, tutoring inner-city children, building homes for Habitat for Humanity, monitoring water quality and much more. No wonder we're listed in The Princeton Review's "Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement" (Random House).

students studying abroad

You'll get around.

From Argentina to Zimbabwe and all the places in between, you're bound to find URI students and alumni. Our current students come from 45 states and territories and 58 nations. Alumni live in all 50 states, D.C., three territories, and 80 nations. And our study abroad program can take you just about anywhere.

two students laughing together

Lots of friends. Small classes.

With 13,000 undergraduates, you'll make tons of friends, but we like to keep it small here. Our student/faculty ratio is just 15:1, and 66 percent of our classes have fewer than 29 students. Plus, our beautiful rural setting gives URI the warmth and friendliness of a much smaller place.

female student smiling and carrying colorful artwork

We have honor.

We've got 40 honors societies, plus an Honors Program that offers even smaller classes, dedicated upper-classman housing, livelier discussions, and more in-depth exploration of such global topics as peace and nonviolence, global health, poverty, and more.

female student reading in dorm room

Home away from home.

Many of our 22 undergrad residence halls are certified "green," recently renovated, or almost new. "Freshman Village" is centrally located between the academic, athletics, and recreational sectors of campus. And in a Living and Learning Community, you'll live with students who share your academic interests.

students laughing playing volleyball in the mud

Serious fun.

Whether your idea of fun is on the field or the stage, in the woods or the water, with politics or worship, it's here waiting for you. URI offers more than 100 student clubs, dozens of club, intramural, and intercollegiate sports, and a robust athletics complex with some of the top facilities in the region.