Best colleges in Rhode Island
Small in Size, Not in Potential
Who doesn’t want to live in “The Ocean State”?
Don’t judge a book by its cover or a dog by its size. Rhode Island may be small, but it certainly is diverse. The Ocean State is home to 13 different higher learning institutions, including 1 Ivy League school and many tech institutes. Colleges here are heavy on research and science, but students can also major in culinary arts, information technology, and a whole array of liberal arts programs. Of the top 10 highest paid occupations in Rhode Island, 8 of them fall into the Healthcare industry. So, degrees in nursing, medicine, and dental will have limitless opportunities after graduation. Those who stick around town after graduation go on to work at popular companies like CVS Health & Pharmacy, Hanna Instruments, and Hasbro.*
When you’re not busy broadening your horizons here in New England, spend your down time visiting with oyster farmers, taking in a local art gallery, or pedaling through a 100-mile network of bike trails and nature paths. For those who prefer a little more excitement in their evenings, head over to the Malted Barley in Westerly for a taste of their famous pretzels and three dozen different tap beers.* Take part in a Rhode Island food fight, or visit Simon’s 667 for live music. However you choose to enjoy Rhode Island by day or night, you are sure to enjoy this beautiful coastal state that will quickly become “home.”
*Bureau of Labor Statistics *Wikipedia, “List of Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island”, “Companies based in Rhode Island” *www.rimonthly.com/Rhode-Island-Monthly *www.providencenightout.comBest Four Year Universities in Rhode Island
Brown University is a private Ivy League institution that was founded in 1764 in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 9,000 students, all of whom attend classes on a campus that covers over 140 acres. Brown is on a trimester academic calendar and ranks among one of the most expensive schools in the country, though many students secure financial aid.
Brown has a rich academic history and operates the longest-serving Ivy engineering program. The school is known for its unique curriculum which eliminated the need for core class requirements and traditional grading systems, allowing students to choose their own path to graduation without the need for general education classes.
Brown is not the only school in Providence with the neighboring Rhode Island School of Design just west of the campus. Students at Brown enjoy the option to register for classes at RISD and vice-versa, allowing them to take up to four classes at the other school. Along with its strong writing and international affairs programs, the school also hosts the Joukowsky Institute for Archeology and the Ancient World, which provides classes in Egyptology, Mesopotamia, and Assyriology. Notable alumni include media and buffalo magnate Ted Turner, actor John Krasinski, and politician Andrew Yang.
Rhode Island School of Design offers 33 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2019, 693 students graduated with students earning 480 Bachelor's degrees, and 213 Master's degrees.
Providence College offers 110 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2019, 1,332 students graduated with students earning 975 Bachelor's degrees, 215 Master's degrees, 140 Certificates, and 2 Associate's degrees.
Bryant University offers 45 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 1,036 students graduated with students earning 876 Bachelor's degrees, 152 Master's degrees, and 8 Certificates.
Salve Regina University offers 97 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 845 students graduated with students earning 474 Bachelor's degrees, 245 Master's degrees, 112 Certificates, and 14 Doctoral degrees.
University of Rhode Island offers 193 degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 4,156 students graduated with students earning 3,203 Bachelor's degrees, 595 Master's degrees, 253 Doctoral degrees, and 105 Certificates.
Roger Williams University offers 129 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 1,144 students graduated with students earning 926 Bachelor's degrees, 144 Master's degrees, 59 Associate's degrees, and 15 Certificates.
Rhode Island College offers 150 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 1,697 students graduated with students earning 1,306 Bachelor's degrees, 270 Master's degrees, 112 Certificates, and 9 Doctoral degrees.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence offers 62 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2019, 2,474 students graduated with students earning 1,551 Bachelor's degrees, 515 Associate's degrees, 378 Master's degrees, 16 Certificates, and 14 Doctoral degrees.
New England Institute of Technology offers 61 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 1,104 students graduated with students earning 744 Associate's degrees, 306 Bachelor's degrees, and 54 Master's degrees.
Best Community Colleges in Rhode Island
Community College of Rhode Island offers 104 degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a small city. In 2019, 2,211 students graduated with students earning 1,988 Associate's degrees, and 223 Certificates.
