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Rhode Island Colleges

Small state, big opportunity! Easily compare Rhode Island colleges and find your best fit. Sort the list of Rhode Island colleges by size, price and other stats.

Find the Best Colleges in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a tiny state, yet 12 accredited colleges and universities fit within its borders — and the Rhode Island college list has something for everyone. The state is home to an Ivy League university, a large public university, a community college with multiple campuses, the federal government’s Naval War College, a top-ranked art school, a leading college of culinary arts, two Catholic colleges and more.
Additional options are available through the Regional Student Program. This tuition discount program supports out-of-state study at many public universities and colleges in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Rhode Island College Statistics

  • Online learning is available from Rhode Island colleges, but the vast majority of students attend class in person. In 2012 approximately 2% of Rhode Island college students took 100% of their courses online. Online degree programs in Rhode Island are offered by the University of Rhode Island, the New England Institute of Technology and private colleges.
  • Public college tuition in Rhode Island cost an average of about $8700 for the 2014-2015 academic year. The most expensive public school in Rhode Island is the University of Rhode Island. The least expensive is the Community College of Rhode Island, which charged about $3600 for tuition in 2014-2015.
  • Financial aid significantly reduces college expenses in Rhode Island. For instance, in 2014-2015 about 90% of students at the University of Rhode Island received need-based financial aid. They saved an average of $16,000 each. The 10% of students not qualifying for need-based aid got financial assistance too; the averaged merit-based award was about $6000.

Find the perfect Rhode Island college for you using our search tool below.

Rank School Name City State Net Cost School Level Retention Rate Distance Learning
1

Brown University

Providence

RI

N/A

4 year

97.54%

No

2

Bryant University

Smithfield

RI

N/A

4 year

87.18%

Yes

3

Community College of Rhode Island

Warwick

RI

$6,055

2 year

64.8%

Yes

4

Empire Beauty School-Providence

Providence

RI

N/A

Vocational

65.71%

No

5

Empire Beauty School-Warwick

Warwick

RI

N/A

Vocational

95%

No

6

International Yacht Restoration School

Newport

RI

N/A

2 year

77.36%

No

7

Johnson & Wales University-Online

Providence

RI

N/A

4 year

N/A

Yes

8

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence

RI

N/A

4 year

79.2%

Yes

9

Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln

Lincoln

RI

N/A

2 year

68.91%

No

10

MotoRing Technical Training Institute

East Providence

RI

N/A

Vocational

92.31%

No

11

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich

RI

N/A

4 year

N/A

Yes

12

New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island

Pawtucket

RI

N/A

Vocational

N/A

No

13

Newport School of Hairdressing-Main Campus

Pawtucket

RI

N/A

Vocational

N/A

No

14

Paul Mitchell the School-Rhode Island

Cranston

RI

N/A

Vocational

80.65%

No

15

Providence College

Providence

RI

N/A

4 year

91.92%

Yes

16

Rhode Island College

Providence

RI

$8,372

4 year

78.63%

Yes

17

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence

RI

N/A

4 year

95.38%

No

18

Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute

West Warwick

RI

N/A

Vocational

N/A

No

19

Roger Williams University

Bristol

RI

N/A

4 year

79.13%

Yes

20

Roger Williams University School of Law

Bristol

RI

N/A

4 year

N/A

No

21

Salve Regina University

Newport

RI

N/A

4 year

83.8%

Yes

22

St Joseph School of Nursing

North Providence

RI

N/A

2 year

100%

No

23

Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Cranston

Cranston

RI

N/A

Vocational

88.89%

No

24

University of Rhode Island

Kingston

RI

$17,664

4 year

81.95%

Yes

Rhode Island Fun Facts & More Education Stats

  • Rhode Island has the longest name of any US state. It’s officially named “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.”
  • Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of area. It measures just 48 miles north to south and 37 miles east to west. Nearly 4000 Rhode Islands could fit into a US map. More than 400 Rhode Islands could fit into Alaska.
  • This state has a large population considering its land area. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state. The most densely populated state is New Jersey.
  • The oldest schoolhouse still standing in the US is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It was built in 1716.
  • The oldest bar still standing and operating in the US is the White Horse tavern. It was built in Rhode Island in 1673. Also, Rhode Island never approved Prohibition.
  • Portsmouth, Rhode Island was the first American town established by a woman. Anne Hutchinson founded Portsmouth in 1640.
  • Rhode Island was the first state to prohibit slavery. Its oldest anti-slavery law was passed in 1652.
  • Ethnic diversity has climbed at Rhode Island colleges and universities over the past few decades. In 1980 only about 5% of Rhode Island college students identified as racial minorities. Today more than 20% identify as minorities.
  • Mr. Potato Head is the state’s official family travel ambassador. His manufacturer, Hasbro, is headquartered in Pawtucket.

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