Best Colleges in Rhode Island (2023 Rankings)

Rhode Island might be the smallest state in the nation, but it holds a big spot in our hearts. It's the home of the nation's oldest carousel, a 58-foot-long termite, and several tremendous colleges and universities that merit some consideration as you think about where you'll study and live for the next four years after high school. 

In this article, we'll take you on a virtual tour of a few of our favorite liberal arts colleges in the state of Rhode Island. While this list will provide a great introduction, we urge you to consider paying an in-person visit to get the full experience. 

And now, in no particular order, here is our list of the top colleges in Rhode Island! 

Brown University

Location: Providence, RI

Acceptance rate: 8%

Undergraduate enrollment: 6,792

Average tuition: $60,696

Six-year graduation rate: 95% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 

Brown University opened its doors in 1764 and moved to its current location in Providence in 1770. After a $5,000 gift from Nicholas Brown in 1804, the research university was renamed after the prominent alum and local businessman. Brown is the seventh-oldest school in America and the first Ivy League school to accept students from all religious affiliations. 

The school's undergraduate program changed dramatically in 1970 when the core program was eliminated and decisions about general education courses were left to individual departments. This student-first approach has defined Brown's undergraduate experience ever since. Many undergraduate students stay at Brown to work on their master's degrees, and their list of graduate programs even includes several choices for prospective doctoral students to consider.

University of Rhode Island

Location: Kingston, RI

Acceptance rate: 76%

Undergraduate enrollment: 14,904

In-state tuition: $15,004 

Out-of-state tuition: $32,578 

Six-year graduation rate: 71% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1 

The University of Rhode Island features a student body that represents 47 US states and 58 nations. The school was chartered in 1888, and the school's core campus now holds a spot on the National Registry of Historic Places. 

The public college aims to equip students to meet current and future global challenges through unique educational opportunities. While many students are majoring in psychology or training to be registered nurses, the school offers more than 90 different degree programs.  

Providence College

Location: Providence, RI

Acceptance rate: 54%

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,298

Average tuition: $54,388 

Six-year graduation rate: 85% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 

Providence College is a private Catholic university in Rhode Island's capital city that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. The school is one of the top universities in the northern United States and was recently selected to receive the Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award. 

Many students pursue degrees in Finance and Marketing, but other popular choices include Biology, Management, and Psychology. In total, 44% of learners pursue degrees from the College of Arts and Science, while another 38% are working on Business degrees. 

Johnson & Wales University

Location: Providence, RI

Acceptance rate: 87%

Undergraduate enrollment: 5,120

Average tuition: $34,736

Six-year graduation rate: 64% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1

Like Providence College, Johnson & Wales University is also a private institution. Since its founding in 1914, the school has valued authentic and purposeful learning and continues to instill a spirit of curiosity and a passion for hands-on learning in each student. 

Their efforts are reflected in their commitment to placing students in internships: more than 1,400 students recently completed an internship with a career outcome rate of nearly 95.4% afterward. In addition, 78% of students received a job offer after completing their paid internship.  

Roger Williams University

Location: Bristol, RI

Acceptance rate: 86%

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,346

Average tuition: $38,274 

Six-year graduation rate: 69% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 

Roger Williams University was founded in 1956 and named after the state's cofounder and prominent theologian. Students can choose from over 40 different degree programs in addition to several minors. 

The school prides itself on helping to meet students' financial needs, with over 98% of students receiving some form of financial need. The school's budget for undergraduate financial aid has increased by over 50% in the last five years, further emphasizing the school's commitment to affordable education.

Rhode Island School of Design

Location: Providence, RI

Acceptance rate: 27%

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,736

Average tuition: $54,890 

Six-year graduation rate: 89% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

Founded in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the oldest art schools in the entire country. They offer 44 different full-time undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and they boast a high retention rate. 

Over the years, more than 30,000 alumni have graduated and gone on to pursue careers in different creative fields. Their dedicated faculty works hard to cultivate expansive thinking and equip the next generation of designers, artists, and scholars. With an average class size of only 15 students, you'll receive high levels of attention and engagement from your instructors. 

Rhode Island College

Location: Providence, RI

Acceptance rate: 81%

Undergraduate enrollment: 5,998

In-state tuition: $10,260 

Out-of-state tuition: $24,735 

Six-year graduation rate: 46% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1

Rhode Island College (RIC) was originally called Rhode Island Normal School when it first opened in May 1854. It was the eighth normal school (an institution for teachers) in America, and the original class included 27 students. 

Over the years, the college has expanded to serve more students and now offers more than 90 undergraduate programs from six different colleges. Business, Management, and Marketing are some of the most popular degree choices. 

New England Institute of Technology

Location: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Acceptance rate: 69%

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,843

Average tuition: $31,827 

Six-year graduation rate: 48% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1

At the New England Institute of Technology, you'll receive hands-on instruction from industry leaders that prepares you for your future career. The school's associate degree programs can be completed in as little as eighteen months, while many of its bachelor's degrees only take three years. 

They understand that each student learns differently, and their Student Support Services office aims to equip each student for success during and after school. 

Salve Regina University

Location: Newport, RI

Acceptance rate: 75%

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,150

Average tuition: $42,920 

Six-year graduation rate: 76% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 

Salve Regina University exists to help students find their purpose and discover the unique contribution they will make to the world. 

Students can choose between 40 different majors and minors, and many will continue their studies by enrolling in one of Salve Regina's 11 different master's programs. When students aren't in class or working on projects, they can get involved with one of the school's 70 different student organizations. 

Bryant University

Location: Smithfield, RI

Acceptance rate: 76%

Undergraduate enrollment: 3,281

Average tuition: $46,863 

Six-year graduation rate: 82% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 

Bryant University's academic programs are highly regarded for their ability to weave business principles with the arts and sciences while striving for the highest possible global impact. Since the school's first classes took place in 1863, the school's mission has been to help students discover their passions and become innovative worldwide leaders. 

All classes in the school's 100 degree programs are taught by faculty rather than students or teaching assistants, and the school's proximity to Providence and Boston gives undergraduate students easy access to tremendous internships and prospective job opportunities. 

Navigating Rhode Island's diverse higher education landscape

Rhode Island is a fantastic place to earn an undergraduate degree and prepare for a successful career. We got so carried away while making this list of colleges that we didn't even get a chance to mention the Community College of Rhode Island, but don't let that stop you from visiting their website and learning more about their excellent programs. 

As you narrow down your list of potential best colleges for you, we encourage you to consider if one of these Rhode Island schools might be the ideal fit for you. You can learn more about the schools in this article by visiting campus and talking with admissions counselors, faculty, and current students.

You can also learn more about these schools (and many more) by visiting College Rover's online database. We've made the process of searching for colleges a little more awesome by creating a one-stop database where you'll quickly find answers to many of your questions about higher education. You can even save your top choices to a spreadsheet to quickly compare options alongside each other. Check out College Rover today!

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.