Best mid-size colleges in Rhode Island
Colleges with 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best mid-size colleges in Rhode Island8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Rhode Island.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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
- 7,741 undergraduates
- 96% graduate
- 2
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 2,092 undergraduates
- 89% graduate
- 3
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- 4,191 undergraduates
- 86% graduate
- 4
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for earnings
- 3,240 undergraduates
- 80% graduate
- 5
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- 2,117 undergraduates
- 77% graduate
- 6
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- 4,050 undergraduates
- 69% graduate
- 7
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- 3,952 undergraduates
- 55% graduate
- 8
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- 4,785 undergraduates
- 48% 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% |
| Roger Williams University | $37,999 | $26,940 | $70,266 | 69% |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $31,027 | $26,000 | $43,418 | 55% |
| Rhode Island College | $9,478 | $20,500 | $56,318 | 48% |
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 11
- Arkansas 9
- California 36
- Colorado 15
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 21
- Georgia 28
- Hawaii 4
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 24
- Indiana 19
- Iowa 5
- Kansas 5
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 12
- Maine 8
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 30
- Michigan 13
- Minnesota 18
- Mississippi 5
- Missouri 16
- Nebraska 4
- New Hampshire 4
- New Jersey 14
- New York 61
- North Carolina 12
- North Dakota 4
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 9
- Oregon 7
- Pennsylvania 43
- Puerto Rico 20
- South Carolina 12
- South Dakota 5
- Tennessee 15
- Texas 35
- Vermont 4
- Virginia 13
- Washington 9
- West Virginia 5
- Wisconsin 18
- Wyoming 3