Best Rhode Island Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island for 2025

There are 12 colleges and universities in Rhode Island enrolling 71,722 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Rhode Island below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Rhode Island offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Rhode Island is home to nationally ranked institutions like Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College and Bryant University. The highest ranked college in Rhode Island is Brown University and the top rated public state college is University of Rhode Island.

Local college options can be explored in Providence or other cities.

Rhode Island Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

12 results

List of the Best Rhode Island Colleges

Brown University
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B
Providence, RI

Brown University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 11,516enrollment
  • $26,608net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Rhode Island School of Design
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,540enrollment
  • $42,106net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1540SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Providence College
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P
Providence, RI

Providence College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,635enrollment
  • $46,645net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1400SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Bryant University
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B
Smithfield, RI

Bryant University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 3,592enrollment
  • $40,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Salve Regina University
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S
Newport, RI

Salve Regina University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $37,794net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1295SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Roger Williams University
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R
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,344enrollment
  • $37,936net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Rhode Island
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R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 17,351enrollment
  • $20,964net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,372enrollment
  • $33,480net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Rhode Island College
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R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 5,767enrollment
  • $11,549net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 860-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.08Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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New England Institute of Technology
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N
Warwick, RI
 

New England Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 1,850enrollment
  • $36,714net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Community College of Rhode Island
C
Warwick, RI
 

Community College of Rhode Island

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 12,518enrollment
  • $5,375net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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College Unbound
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C
Providence, Rhode Island
 

College Unbound

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 401enrollment
  • $18,507net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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