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Colleges Top Colleges in Rhode Island
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Top Colleges in Rhode Island

Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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Updated: April 17th, 2024

Despite Rhode Island’s small size, the state is an educational powerhouse. The state is home to an Ivy League, a renowned design school, a state university, and more. They are also members of Tuition Break, which means that students from several neighboring states can receive discounts at public Rhode Island colleges. Compare Rhode Island schools below by size, cost, graduation rate, acceptance rate, and more:

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Top college scholarships for
Rhode Island Students

$101,000 in scholarships available
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10 colleges
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Top College Top College: Affordability

Brown University

Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

Providence, RI

Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

6% acceptance rate
7,125 undergraduate students
96% graduation rate
$26,308 average per year after aid
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Providence College

Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

Providence, RI

Private, Non-Profit, City

58% acceptance rate
4,141 undergraduate students
89% graduation rate
$36,611 average per year after aid
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Bryant University

Smithfield, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Smithfield, RI

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

74% acceptance rate
3,060 undergraduate students
84% graduation rate
$40,426 average per year after aid
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University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI • Public, Suburb

Kingston, RI

Public, Suburb

76% acceptance rate
13,850 undergraduate students
70% graduation rate
$19,925 average per year after aid
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Salve Regina University

Newport, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Newport, RI

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

73% acceptance rate
2,140 undergraduate students
73% graduation rate
$34,293 average per year after aid
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Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

Providence, RI

Private, Non-Profit, City

19% acceptance rate
2,044 undergraduate students
86% graduation rate
$44,371 average per year after aid
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Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Bristol, RI

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

91% acceptance rate
4,090 undergraduate students
70% graduation rate
$37,384 average per year after aid
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Rhode Island College

Providence, RI • Public, Suburb

Providence, RI

Public, Suburb

85% acceptance rate
5,128 undergraduate students
46% graduation rate
$10,986 average per year after aid
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Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

Providence, RI

Private, Non-Profit, City

88% acceptance rate
4,591 undergraduate students
63% graduation rate
$29,879 average per year after aid
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New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

East Greenwich, RI

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

68% acceptance rate
1,739 undergraduate students
49% graduation rate
$34,790 average per year after aid
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About the Data

We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

State grants in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Promise Scholarship:

The Rhode Island Promise Scholarship gives Rhode Island students the opportunity to attend community college free of cost. Students must be younger than 19 years of age in order to be eligible. 

Rhode Island tuition reciprocity agreements

Rhode Island is a part of an organization called the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), which allows students in certain programs to study out of state at a discounted tuition rate. The partner states of the NEBHE include:

Other college lists to explore

Frequently asked questions about colleges in Rhode Island

What is the hardest school in Rhode Island to get into?

 The school with the lowest acceptance rate in Rhode Island is Brown University, with only 6% of students who apply being admitted. Keep in mind that because Brown is an Ivy League school, this tends to mean it has a more rigorous application process.

Does Rhode Island have tuition reciprocity?

Yes! Rhode Island is a part of the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) which is an organization that partners with 5 other states in the northeast to give students the opportunity to attend out of state schools at a discounted tuition rate.

Why should I study in Rhode Island?

There are many benefits to studying in Rhode Island due to its location. You’ll be in close proximity to large cities like New York and Boston, which typically means there will be many educational as well as professional opportunities. Even Rhode Island’s own capital, Providence, has many opportunities when it comes to networking and building important connections. Another advantage is that you will get to live in a beautiful environment with plenty of hiking opportunities as well as small seaside towns to visit.

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