Best Colleges in Rhode Island

The higher education experts at BestColleges reviewed the top 4-year colleges in Rhode Island. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
Lorraine Mumby
By
Updated July 6, 2023
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More young people are enrolling in college every year, with the understanding that earning a college degree plays a critical role in entering many high-paying careers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the undergraduate student population in the U.S. will increase from 16.8 million in 2017 to 17.2 million by 2028.

In addition to quality colleges and universities, Rhode Island boasts a robust economy with ample career opportunities in growing sectors like advanced manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, and education. The healthcare industry is another major employer, with over 67,200 workers in the state in 2019. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, as of November 2019, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate sat at 3.5%, slightly below the national average.

While conducting research into potential postsecondary schools can be overwhelming, this guide can assist your search by providing information about the five best colleges in Rhode Island.

The following rankings consider crucial factors such as programmatic accreditation, tuition prices, financial aid availability, and retention and graduation rates. Each profile details things such as degree offerings, online learning options, and students services. You can also gain insight on the application process.

If a school interests you, do not hesitate to contact the institution’s admissions specialists. These counselors can help you navigate enrollment and find scholarships.

In this Article
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Best Accredited Colleges in Rhode Island

#1

Brown University

Providence, RI4 yearCampus + Online

$62,680

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$62,680

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

5%

Acceptance Rate

5%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$62,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$62,680

Retention Rate

99%

Students Enrolled

11,516

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$62,680

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$62,680

Providence, RI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$62,680

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$62,680

Acceptance Rate

5%

Online Enrollment

5%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$62,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$62,680

Retention Rate

99%

Students Enrolled

11,516

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Providence College

Providence, RI2 yearCampus

$56,980

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,980

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

49%

Acceptance Rate

6%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,070

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,070

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

4,807

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,980

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,980

Providence, RI2 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,980

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,980

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

6%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,070

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,070

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

4,807

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Bryant University

Smithfield, RI2 yearCampus + Online

$48,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

2%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$47,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$47,100

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

3,591

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,432

Smithfield, RI2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,432

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

2%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$47,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$47,100

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

3,591

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI4 yearCampus + Online

$14,116

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,512

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,616

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

16,585

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,116

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,512

Kingston, RI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,116

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,512

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,616

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

16,585

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Salve Regina University

Newport, RI4 yearCampus + Online

$45,250

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,250

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

41%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,060

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

2,872

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,250

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,250

Newport, RI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,250

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,250

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

41%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,060

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

2,872

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

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