How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost?–

An online master’s degree costs about $40,000 for the average grad student. However, the cost of your online master’s degree will depend on the type of grad school you attend. In 2018-2019, the average cost for a year of tuition in a public grad school was $12,171. The average cost for a year of tuition in private, non-profit grad school was $27,776. An online master’s degree will usually cost about the same as a traditional master’s degree. Some schools will charge 5-10% more for online courses. This added cost pays for the technology and specialized training needed for online instruction. But getting a master’s degree online can also help you save money. The costs above don’t include expenses like housing, transportation, or certain campus fees. As an online grad student, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these added expenses. Many online master’s degree programs are also accelerated. Most master’s degree programs are designed to be completed in two years. But you may be able to earn your online master’s degree in as little as 12-18 months. Earning an accelerated online master’s degree can save you money on tuition.

What Can I Expect From an Online College Course?–

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

Will Employers Respect My Online Degree?–

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction. While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

What Are the Advantages of Online Classes?–

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

What Are the Disadvantages of Online Classes?–

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment. While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

How do we determine Rhode Island's best online master's degree programs?

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Best Online Master’s Programs in Rhode Island 2023

By James Barham
Reviewed By AI Staff

Published: May 11, 2022
Updated: May 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Rhode Island ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs. Faculty and alumni with influential ideas are the foundation of respectable online degree programs employers can trust.

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.

Best Online Master’s Program in Rhode Island 2022

#1
Brown University
Providence , RI
#17 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #18 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023 #18 50 Best Private Grad Schools 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
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Public Health (MPH)

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
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#2
University of Rhode Island
Kingston , RI
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island 2023
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Research Universities in Rhode Island 2023
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
70%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Online Master’s Degrees
MS in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
PSM in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MLS in Library and Information Studies

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MS in Healthcare Management

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MS in Dietetics

Required Credits: 33
Completion time: 14 months
Format: Online
MS in Oceanography

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
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#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 Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
89%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing

Concentrations

Nurse Educator
Adult Gerontology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Accounting

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Sports Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Clinical Mental Health

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#4
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 #5 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
Other Rankings
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
70%
Student body
4K
Online Master’s Degrees
MA/MS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MS in Leadership

Required Credits: 33
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MPA in Public Administration

Required Credits: 43
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
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#5
Salve Regina University
Newport , RI
#2 Best Christian Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in Rhode Island 2023 #4 Best Small Colleges in Rhode Island 2023 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
- #7 Best Colleges in Rhode Island 2023
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
73%
Student body
3K
Online Master’s Degrees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Concentrations

Cybersecurity Issues in Business
Entrepreneurial Enterprise
Nonprofit Management
Social Ventures
Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 18-24 months
Format: Online
MS in Innovation and Strategic Management

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 18-24 months
Format: Online
MS in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 18-24 months
Format: Online
MA in International Relations

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 18-24 months
Format: Online
MS in Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 18-24 months
Format: Online
MSN in Nursing

Required Credits: 48
Completion time: None Reported
Format: Online
MA in Rehabilitation Counseling

Required Credits: 48
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
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Best Online Master’s Programs in Rhode Island 2023

Top Online Master's Programs in Rhode Island

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island

What are Rhode Island’s Colleges & Universities?

Rhode Island’s Best Overall

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Rhode Island

Best Online Master’s Program in Rhode Island 2022

Brown University

Online Master's Degrees

University of Rhode Island

Online Master’s Degrees

Providence College

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Roger Williams University

Online Master’s Degrees

Salve Regina University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Rhode Island’s Best Grad Programs in Your Area Interest