Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Online | ric.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Rhode Island College (RIC) is located in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island's capital city, occupying a 180-acre suburban campus. Founded in 1854 as the Rhode Island State Normal School, it was the first public institution of higher education in Rhode Island and maintains its historical focus on teacher preparation while expanding to offer comprehensive liberal arts and professional programs. The college features a mix of modern and colonial-style brick buildings centered around a quad, with most academic facilities constructed during a significant campus expansion in the 1960s and 1970s. RIC operates as a primarily commuter campus, though it maintains several residence halls housing a portion of its undergraduate population. The School of Education, School of Social Work, and nursing programs are particularly well-established, serving as key training grounds for Rhode Island's public service workforce.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
RIC is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Rhode Island College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#720 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#252 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Rhode Island
#10 in Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 870/1110 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.08 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Mar 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Rhode Island Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,485 |
| Room and Board | $13,414 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,490 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,070 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,485 |
| Room and Board | $13,414 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,490 |
| Total One Year Cost | $42,603 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 21% |
| Business | 17% |
| Psychology | 12% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Rhode Island College.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217420 IPEDS survey data for Rhode Island College.
Current students may use the Rhode Island College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024