Best Value Rhode Island Colleges
Rhode Island has 9 colleges ranked by value, part of our national best value ranking. We weigh academic quality against average net price so you find schools that deliver strong results without overpaying.
Brown University offers the best value in Rhode Island for 2027 with a 10 out of 10 academic rating and an average net price of $26,256. The top value public university is University of Rhode Island. Also high value: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College and University of Rhode Island.
Compare net price, aid, and academic ratings across the colleges below. See how value scores are calculated on our methodology page. Sort by net price, acceptance rate, or academic rating to find the best deal for your budget.
Brown University
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
5.0 | 2 reviews
- Jan 5 application deadline
Brown is an Ivy League university known for undergraduate economics, computer science, and the biological sciences. Most students design their own path under the Open Curriculum, which has no required core.
- SAT Range 1510-1580
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.94
- Acceptance Rate 5%
- Net Price $26,256
Rhode Island School of Design
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
| 0 reviews
- Feb 1 application deadline
RISD is a highly selective private art and design college known for undergraduate fine arts, industrial design, and architecture. The urban Providence campus borders Brown University and offers a dual-degree program with it.
- SAT Range 1396-1530
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.71
- Acceptance Rate 19%
- Net Price $43,492
Providence College
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
3.0 | 2 reviews
- Jan 15 application deadline
Providence College is a private Dominican Catholic college known for undergraduate business and the liberal arts. Most undergrads live on the residential campus in a Providence neighborhood.
- SAT Range 1250-1390
- Avg GPA 3.47
- Acceptance Rate 51%
- Net Price $48,618
University of Rhode Island
- Public 4 Year
- Kingston, RI
-
4.0 | 7 reviews
- Feb 1 application deadline
URI is a public university known for undergraduate oceanography, marine science, and pharmacy. The main campus sits in the college town of Kingston in southern Rhode Island.
- SAT Range 1020-1280
- Avg GPA 3.58
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- Net Price $24,118
Salve Regina University
- Private 4 Year
- Newport, RI
-
4.0 | 2 reviews
Salve Regina is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing and historic preservation. The Newport campus overlooks the Atlantic and incorporates several Gilded Age mansions.
- SAT Range 1160-1330
- Avg GPA 3.52
- Acceptance Rate 68%
- Net Price $38,307
Bryant University
- Private 4 Year
- Smithfield, RI
-
5.0 | 2 reviews
- Feb 1 application deadline
Bryant is a private university known for undergraduate business. The suburban campus sits northwest of Providence.
- SAT Range 1190-1330
- Avg GPA 3.43
- Acceptance Rate 65%
- Net Price $42,139
Roger Williams University
- Private 4 Year
- Bristol, RI
-
4.3 | 3 reviews
- Feb 1 application deadline
Roger Williams is a private university known for undergraduate architecture and marine biology. The waterfront campus sits on Mount Hope Bay in Bristol.
- SAT Range 1140-1310
- Avg GPA 3.43
- Acceptance Rate 88%
- Net Price $38,779
Johnson & Wales University Providence
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
| 0 reviews
Johnson & Wales is a private university known for undergraduate culinary arts, hospitality management, and business. The urban campus sits in downtown Providence.
- SAT Range 890-1160
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 88%
- Net Price $32,057
Rhode Island College
- Public 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
2.5 | 2 reviews
- Mar 15 application deadline
Rhode Island College is a public college known for undergraduate teacher education, nursing, and social work. The campus sits in a residential area on the north side of Providence.
- SAT Range 870-1120
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.08
- Acceptance Rate 92%
- Net Price $10,346