Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Rhode Island
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Rhode Island9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in Rhode Island.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Rhode Island
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $93,487 ten years out
- 2
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI · PublicTop 15% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $69,743 ten years out
- 3Tie
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $90,008 ten years out
- 3Tie
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $72,975 ten years out
- 3Tie
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $70,266 ten years out
- 6
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $87,054 ten years out
- 7Tie
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $43,418 ten years out
- 7Tie
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $68,140 ten years out
- 7Tie
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low debt
- Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $48,684 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | About $25,000 | $11,428 | $93,487 | 96% |
| University of Rhode Island | About $21,000 | $22,250 | $69,743 | 73% |
| Bryant University | About $41,000 | $26,849 | $90,008 | 80% |
| Salve Regina University | About $37,000 | $27,000 | $72,975 | 77% |
| Roger Williams University | About $38,000 | $26,940 | $70,266 | 69% |
| Providence College | About $49,000 | $27,000 | $87,054 | 86% |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | About $31,000 | $26,000 | $43,418 | 55% |
| Rhode Island School of Design | About $51,000 | $27,000 | $68,140 | 89% |
| New England Institute of Technology | About $36,000 | $16,668 | $48,684 | 60% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15