Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2024

Badge for BEST IN RHODE ISLAND PRIVATE COLLEGES

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. 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. 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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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
    Other Rankings

    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: $65,046
    Expenses: $18,540
    Starting Salary: $89,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Providence College

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Providence College

    Cost of Degree: $57,928
    Expenses: $18,982
    Starting Salary: $73,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  3. #3

    Bryant University

    Smithfield , RI

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Bryant University

    Cost of Degree: $49,329
    Expenses: $19,484
    Starting Salary: $77,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Roger Williams University

    Cost of Degree: $41,398
    Expenses: $20,644
    Starting Salary: $56,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Salve Regina University

    Cost of Degree: $46,000
    Expenses: $21,780
    Starting Salary: $57,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Salve Regina University known for?

    Salve Regina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Salve Regina University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing: RN To BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at New England Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $33,900
    Expenses: $21,870
    Starting Salary: $45,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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 Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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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