Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2024

BEST IN RHODE ISLAND PRIVATE COLLEGES
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Rhode Island.

Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

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  1. Brown University
  2. Providence College
  3. Bryant University
  4. Roger Williams University
  5. Salve Regina University
  6. New England Institute of Technology
  1. Roger Williams University 91%
  2. Bryant University 74%
  3. Salve Regina University 73%
  4. New England Institute of Technology 68%
  5. Providence College 58%
  6. Brown University 6%
  1. Roger Williams University 15 to 1
  2. Bryant University 13 to 1
  3. Salve Regina University 13 to 1
  4. Providence College 11 to 1
  5. New England Institute of Technology 10 to 1
  6. Brown University 6 to 1
  1. Brown University $62,304
  2. Providence College $55,988
  3. Bryant University $47,782
  4. Salve Regina University $44,200
  5. Roger Williams University $39,594
  6. New England Institute of Technology $32,807
  1. Brown University $60,944
  2. Bryant University $46,220
  3. Roger Williams University $17,476
  4. New England Institute of Technology $14,250
  5. Salve Regina University $11,610
  6. Providence College $9,750
  1. New England Institute of Technology
  2. Salve Regina University
  3. Roger Williams University
  4. Bryant University
  5. Providence College
  6. Brown University
  1. Brown University 6%
  2. Providence College 58%
  3. New England Institute of Technology 68%
  4. Salve Regina University 73%
  5. Bryant University 74%
  6. Roger Williams University 91%
  1. Brown University 6 to 1
  2. New England Institute of Technology 10 to 1
  3. Providence College 11 to 1
  4. Bryant University 13 to 1
  5. Salve Regina University 13 to 1
  6. Roger Williams University 15 to 1
  1. New England Institute of Technology $32,807
  2. Roger Williams University $39,594
  3. Salve Regina University $44,200
  4. Bryant University $47,782
  5. Providence College $55,988
  6. Brown University $62,304
  1. Providence College $9,750
  2. Salve Regina University $11,610
  3. New England Institute of Technology $14,250
  4. Roger Williams University $17,476
  5. Bryant University $46,220
  6. 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?

Rhode Island’s Best Overall

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

Rhode Island's Best Private Colleges and Universities Badge
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This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 6 private universities in Rhode Island. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Rhode Island, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

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Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  1. #1

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    #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

    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

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Providence College

    Providence , RI
    #7 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #18 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2024
    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
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  7. #6

    New England Institute of Technology

    East Greenwich , RI
    #5 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2024 #3 Most Affordable Online Occupational Therapy Masters Programs

    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

    Compare school
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Rhode Island’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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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. Roger Williams University
  5. Bryant University
  6. Salve Regina University

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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