Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2023

Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the best colleges and universities in Rhode Island. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Best Colleges in Rhode Island

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  1. Brown University
    2. 72%
  2. University of Rhode Island
    3. 47%
  3. Providence College
    4. 38%
  4. Rhode Island College
    5. 34%
  5. Bryant University
    6. 31%
  6. Roger Williams University
    7. 29%
  7. Salve Regina University
    8. 26%
  8. New England Institute of Technology
    9. 17%
  1. Roger Williams University
    2. 91%
  2. Rhode Island College
    3. 85%
  3. University of Rhode Island
    4. 76%
  4. Bryant University
    5. 74%
  5. Salve Regina University
    6. 73%
  6. New England Institute of Technology
    7. 68%
  7. Providence College
    8. 58%
  8. Brown University
    9. 6%
  1. University of Rhode Island
    2. 17 to 1
  2. Roger Williams University
    3. 15 to 1
  3. Rhode Island College
    4. 14 to 1
  4. Bryant University
    5. 13 to 1
  5. Salve Regina University
    6. 13 to 1
  6. Providence College
    7. 11 to 1
  7. New England Institute of Technology
    8. 10 to 1
  8. Brown University
    9. 6 to 1
  1. Brown University
    2. $62,304
  2. Providence College
    3. $55,988
  3. Bryant University
    4. $47,782
  4. Salve Regina University
    5. $44,200
  5. Roger Williams University
    6. $39,594
  6. New England Institute of Technology
    7. $32,807
  7. University of Rhode Island
    8. $13,250
  8. Rhode Island College
    9. $9,277
  1. Brown University
    2. $60,944
  2. Bryant University
    3. $46,220
  3. Roger Williams University
    4. $17,476
  4. University of Rhode Island
    5. $14,454
  5. New England Institute of Technology
    6. $14,250
  6. Salve Regina University
    7. $11,610
  7. Providence College
    8. $9,750
  8. Rhode Island College
    9. $8,730
  1. New England Institute of Technology
    2. 17%
  2. Salve Regina University
    3. 26%
  3. Roger Williams University
    4. 29%
  4. Bryant University
    5. 31%
  5. Rhode Island College
    6. 34%
  6. Providence College
    7. 38%
  7. University of Rhode Island
    8. 47%
  8. Brown University
    9. 72%
  1. Brown University
    2. 6%
  2. Providence College
    3. 58%
  3. New England Institute of Technology
    4. 68%
  4. Salve Regina University
    5. 73%
  5. Bryant University
    6. 74%
  6. University of Rhode Island
    7. 76%
  7. Rhode Island College
    8. 85%
  8. Roger Williams University
    9. 91%
  1. Brown University
    2. 6 to 1
  2. New England Institute of Technology
    3. 10 to 1
  3. Providence College
    4. 11 to 1
  4. Bryant University
    5. 13 to 1
  5. Salve Regina University
    6. 13 to 1
  6. Rhode Island College
    7. 14 to 1
  7. Roger Williams University
    8. 15 to 1
  8. University of Rhode Island
    9. 17 to 1
  1. Rhode Island College
    2. $9,277
  2. University of Rhode Island
    3. $13,250
  3. New England Institute of Technology
    4. $32,807
  4. Roger Williams University
    5. $39,594
  5. Salve Regina University
    6. $44,200
  6. Bryant University
    7. $47,782
  7. Providence College
    8. $55,988
  8. Brown University
    9. $62,304
  1. Rhode Island College
    2. $8,730
  2. Providence College
    3. $9,750
  3. Salve Regina University
    4. $11,610
  4. New England Institute of Technology
    5. $14,250
  5. University of Rhode Island
    6. $14,454
  6. Roger Williams University
    7. $17,476
  7. Bryant University
    8. $46,220
  8. Brown University
    9. $60,944

Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island

Of the three public schools, the University of Rhode Island is the largest, having more than 15,000 students in attendance. The main campus is located in Kingston, and the tuition rate is $14,000. The most prestigious school in the state is Brown University, a private Ivy League institution located in Providence. Over 9,000 students study on this campus in fields like biophysics, ethnic studies, and public health. Tuition is more expensive at about $55,000, but the school boasts a 96% graduation rate.

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Of the eight private schools, two are religiously affiliated. Both Salve Regina University and Providence College have under 5,000 students, though the tuition fees are more expensive at $40,000 and $51,000, respectively. Whether you seek an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Rhode Island also offers a unique opportunity for graduates. As a financial incentive to pursue a career or start a business in Rhode Island in the technology, engineering, design, or other sectors, the Wavemaker Fellowship program defrays student loan payments for up to four years.

Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state, but it has more than 400 miles of coastline, giving it the nickname The Ocean State. With sandy beaches and colonial towns, this state offers relaxation and history. Rhode Island also has 11 public and private higher education institutions with an average tuition of just over $12,000.

Meet your academic goals at one of the higher learning centers in Rhode Island. Check out the top programs to see which school fits your needs.


What are Rhode Island’s Colleges & Universities?

Rhode Island’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Rhode Island' Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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We’ve identified 8 colleges and universities in Rhode Island that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Rhode Island below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Rhode Island.

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Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2022

  1. #1

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    #17 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #18 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #18 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023 #19 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    What is Brown University known for?

    Brown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    University of Rhode Island

    Kingston , RI
    #1 Best Public Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Rhode Island 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    What is University of Rhode Island known for?

    University of Rhode Island’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Rhode Island’s Online Degrees

    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Providence College

    Providence , RI
    #7 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #18 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/29

    What is Providence College known for?

    Providence College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Providence College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Fire Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Leadership Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Theology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    Roger Williams University

    Bristol , RI
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #3 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #4 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    4K

    What is Roger Williams University known for?

    Roger Williams University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Roger Williams University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity And Networking
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #8

    New England Institute of Technology

    East Greenwich , RI
    #5 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    2K

    What is New England Institute of Technology known for?

    New England Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Rhode Island’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Brown University
  2. Rhode Island School of Design
  3. Providence College
  4. University of Rhode Island
  5. Roger Williams University
  6. Bryant University
  7. Salve Regina University
  8. Rhode Island College
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