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    Colleges Top Colleges in Rhode Island
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    Top Colleges in Rhode Island

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    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: May 7th, 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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    Rhode Island state flag

    Top college scholarships for
    Rhode Island Students

    $16,000 in scholarships available
    Scholarships360 is recommended by
    9 colleges
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    B

    Brown University

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

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University is an Ivy League school known for its open curriculum, which allows students to create their own course of study. Notable alumni include…Read More

    Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University is an Ivy…Read More

    5% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    7,222 undergrads
    $27,157 net price
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    P

    Providence College

    Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Providence College, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private Catholic institution known for its strong liberal arts education and its commitment to the Dominican tradition. The college's campus features…Read More

    Providence College, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a private…Read More

    53% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    3,959 undergrads
    $41,767 net price
    B

    Bryant University

    Smithfield, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Bryant University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Smithfield, Rhode Island. There are currently 3,193 undergraduates at Bryant and the school’s acceptance rate is 69%. The tuition at…Read More

    Bryant University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    69% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    3,193 undergrads
    $40,331 net price
    R

    University of Rhode Island

    Kingston, RI • Public, Suburb

    University of Rhode Island is a public 4-year college located in Kingston, Rhode Island. There are currently 13,828 undergraduates at Rhode Island and the school’s acceptance rate is 76%. The…Read More

    University of Rhode Island is a public 4-year college located…Read More

    76% acceptance
    72% graduation rate
    13,828 undergrads
    $19,694 net price
    S

    Salve Regina University

    Newport, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Salve Regina University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Newport, Rhode Island. There are currently 2,174 undergraduates at Salve Regina and the school’s acceptance rate is 70%. The…Read More

    Salve Regina University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    70% acceptance
    76% graduation rate
    2,174 undergrads
    $36,456 net price
    R

    Rhode Island School of Design

    Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Providence, Rhode Island. There are currently 2,108 undergraduates at RISD and the school’s acceptance rate is 17%.…Read More

    Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year…Read More

    17% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    2,108 undergrads
    $45,638 net price
    R

    Roger Williams University

    Bristol, RI • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Roger Williams University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Bristol, Rhode Island. There are currently 3,971 undergraduates at Roger Williams and the school’s acceptance rate is 91%. The…Read More

    Roger Williams University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    91% acceptance
    66% graduation rate
    3,971 undergrads
    $39,683 net price
    R

    Rhode Island College

    Providence, RI • Public, Suburb

    Rhode Island College is a public 4-year college located in Providence, Rhode Island. There are currently 4,596 undergraduates at RIC and the school’s acceptance rate is 88%. The tuition at…Read More

    Rhode Island College is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    88% acceptance
    44% graduation rate
    4,596 undergrads
    $12,599 net price
    J

    Johnson & Wales University-Providence

    Providence, RI • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Providence, Rhode Island. There are currently 4,135 undergraduates at Johnson & Wales Providence and the school’s acceptance rate…

    Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More

    83% acceptance
    59% graduation rate
    4,135 undergrads
    $31,608 net price
    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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