Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island 2024
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Rhode Island offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island College 85%
- University of Rhode Island 76%
- Salve Regina University 73%
- Brown University 6%
- University of Rhode Island 17 to 1
- Rhode Island College 14 to 1
- Salve Regina University 13 to 1
- Brown University 6 to 1
- Brown University $62,304
- Salve Regina University $44,200
- University of Rhode Island $13,250
- Rhode Island College $9,277
- Brown University $60,944
- University of Rhode Island $14,454
- Salve Regina University $11,610
- Rhode Island College $8,730
- Brown University 6%
- Salve Regina University 73%
- University of Rhode Island 76%
- Rhode Island College 85%
- Brown University 6 to 1
- Salve Regina University 13 to 1
- Rhode Island College 14 to 1
- University of Rhode Island 17 to 1
- Rhode Island College $9,277
- University of Rhode Island $13,250
- Salve Regina University $44,200
- Brown University $62,304
- Rhode Island College $8,730
- Salve Regina University $11,610
- University of Rhode Island $14,454
- Brown University $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?
- 2 Research Universities
- 6 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 4 Graduate Schools
- 2 Public Colleges & Universities
- 6 Private Colleges & Universities
- 2 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 5 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 2 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 3 Online Colleges
Rhode Island’s Best Overall
There are 4 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Rhode Island. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Rhode Island is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island 2023
- #17 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #18 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #18 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2024 #19 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
- #24 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
- #24 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Rhode Island 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
- #1 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
- #6 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
- #8 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
- #9 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
- #11 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
- #11 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
- #13 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
- #13 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
- #14 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
- #19 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees
- #21 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
- #24 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Rhode Island 2024
- #19 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
96%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/34
Career Outlook for degree at Brown University
Cost of Degree: $65,046Expenses: $18,540Starting Salary: $89,100Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brown University known for?
Brown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Mathematics
- History
- Education
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Communications
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Rhode Island 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Rhode Island 2024
- #4 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
- #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
- #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs
- #11 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
- #15 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
- #18 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
70%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Rhode Island
Cost of Degree: $15,880Expenses: $17,270Starting Salary: $58,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Rhode Island known for?
University of Rhode Island’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Communications
- Education
- Business
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
985/21
Career Outlook for degree at Rhode Island College
Cost of Degree: $10,966Expenses: $16,104Starting Salary: $43,900Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Rhode Island College known for?
Rhode Island College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Education
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Communications
- History
- Biology
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
73%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Salve Regina University
Cost of Degree: $46,000Expenses: $21,780Starting Salary: $57,700Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Salve Regina University known for?
Salve Regina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- History
- Communications
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Business
- Education
- Literature
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Rhode Island’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
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.