Roger Williams University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Bristol, RI
4.3 3 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,350

Location Bristol, Rhode Island
Website rwu.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large Suburban

Best Colleges Rank

#312

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Roger Williams University occupies a 140-acre waterfront campus in Bristol, Rhode Island, situated approximately 30 minutes southeast of Providence along Mount Hope Bay. The private institution, founded in 1956, features a blend of modern academic buildings and residential facilities, with many spaces offering views of the bay and the Mount Hope Bridge. The university's academic programs emphasize liberal arts and professional studies, with notable strengths in architecture, marine biology, legal studies, and business, while maintaining selective admission standards. Students reside in traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing complexes spread throughout the coastal campus, and the university competes in NCAA Division III athletics through the Commonwealth Coast Conference.

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Ratings

Roger Williams University is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

7 out of 10
Resources

9 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

4 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Roger Williams University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#312
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#232
Best Colleges in Rhode Island

#6
Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

#6
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#547
Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island

#7

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1140/1310
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/29
GPA 3.43

Acceptance Rate

87.7%

Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 13%
Application Fee $55

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$44,418

Costs for Roger Williams University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$44,418
Books and Supplies		$900
Other Fees		$330
Room and Board		$17,112
Budget for Other Expenses		$4,509
Total One Year Cost		$67,269

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$53,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

59% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Roger Williams University are Business, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Communication. 23% of students major in Business, 11% in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and 8% in Communication.