Most selective colleges in Rhode Island
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in Rhode Island9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
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 an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Rhode Island
- Admits 5%
- Average SAT 1546
- 2
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Admits 19%
- Average SAT 1473
- 3
Providence College
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- Admits 51%
- Average SAT 1346
- 4
- 5
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for low debt
- Admits 67%
- 6
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- Admits 68%
- Average SAT 1232
- 7
- 8
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Admits 88%
- Average SAT 1223
- 9
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Providence, RI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Admits 88%
- Average SAT 1050
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% |
| New England Institute of Technology | $36,483 | $16,668 | $48,684 | 60% |
| 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% |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | $31,027 | $26,000 | $43,418 | 55% |
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 57
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12
- Wisconsin 15