Best colleges in Rhode Island
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Rhode Island11 schools
11 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Rhode Island.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Rhode Island
- Value grade A · Top 9%
- 96% graduate
- 2
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade C+
- 89% graduate
- 3
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- 86% graduate
- 4
- 5
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- 77% graduate
- 6
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI · PublicTop 15% for earnings
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 73% graduate
- 7
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- 69% graduate
- 8
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low debt
- Value grade C+
- 60% graduate
- 9
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Value grade C+
- 55% graduate
- 10
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- 48% graduate
- 11
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit#11 in Rhode Island
- Value grade C+
- 0% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | $25,184 | $11,428 | $93,487 | 96% |
| Rhode Island School of Design | $50,507 | $27,000 | $68,140 | 89% |
| Providence College | $48,523 | $27,000 | $87,054 | 86% |
| Bryant University | $41,219 | $26,849 | $90,008 | 80% |
| Salve Regina University | $36,967 | $27,000 | $72,975 | 77% |
| University of Rhode Island | $21,440 | $22,250 | $69,743 | 73% |
| Roger Williams University | $37,999 | $26,940 | $70,266 | 69% |
| New England Institute of Technology | $36,483 | $16,668 | $48,684 | 60% |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $31,027 | $26,000 | $43,418 | 55% |
| Rhode Island College | $9,478 | $20,500 | $56,318 | 48% |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | $20,252 | $26,000 | $43,418 | 0% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3