Colleges in Rhode Island
All 14 degree-granting colleges in Rhode Island, sorted by published in-state tuition. Click any column header to re-sort.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive college in Rhode Island is $59,956 per year — about $239,824 over a four-year degree.
All 14 colleges, cheapest first
| College | In-state | Out-of-state | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Community College of Rhode IslandPublicWarwick · 2-year | $5,090 | $5,090 | Public |
| 2 | College UnboundPrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $9,984 | $9,984 | Private nonprofit |
| 3 | Rhode Island CollegePublicProvidence · Less than 2-year | $10,966 | $10,966 | Public |
| 4 | Johnson & Wales University-OnlinePrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $13,365 | $13,365 | Private nonprofit |
| 5 | University of Rhode IslandPublicKingston · Less than 2-year | $15,880 | $15,880 | Public |
| 6 | New England Institute of TechnologyPrivateEast Greenwich · Less than 2-year | $33,900 | $33,900 | Private nonprofit |
| 7 | Johnson & Wales University-ProvidencePrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $38,096 | $38,096 | Private nonprofit |
| 8 | Roger Williams UniversityPrivateBristol · Less than 2-year | $41,398 | $41,398 | Private nonprofit |
| 9 | Salve Regina UniversityPrivateNewport · Less than 2-year | $46,000 | $46,000 | Private nonprofit |
| 10 | Bryant UniversityPrivateSmithfield · Less than 2-year | $49,329 | $49,329 | Private nonprofit |
| 11 | Rhode Island School of DesignPrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $57,505 | $57,505 | Private nonprofit |
| 12 | Providence CollegePrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $57,928 | $57,928 | Private nonprofit |
| 13 | Brown UniversityPrivateProvidence · Less than 2-year | $65,046 | $65,046 | Private nonprofit |
| 14 | Roger Williams University School of LawPrivateBristol · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private nonprofit |
By city
Questions
What is the cheapest college in Rhode Island?
Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, at $5,090 per year for in-state students. The next cheapest are College Unbound ($9,984), Rhode Island College ($10,966), Johnson & Wales University-Online ($13,365).
How much does college cost in Rhode Island?
The median published in-state tuition is $38,096 per year across 13 colleges that reported. Community colleges sit at the low end; private four-year schools at the high end. Remember this is tuition and fees only — housing, food and books are extra.
Public or private — which is cheaper?
Public colleges usually have a much lower sticker price for state residents because taxpayers subsidize them. But private colleges often give larger scholarships, so the net price can end up similar. Always compare after aid, not before.
Do I have to live in Rhode Island to get in-state tuition?
Generally yes, and the rules are stricter than people expect. Most states require 12 months of residency for reasons other than education, plus proof like a driver's license, voter registration and tax filings. Check the specific school's residency policy.
About this data
Every figure comes from IPEDS 2022 — the survey every U.S. college receiving federal student aid must complete. We list published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. Schools that did not report tuition appear at the bottom with a dash. Confirm current pricing on each school's website before applying.