Rhode Island College
#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island- Graduation Rate
- 47% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,318 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,478 B
- 45% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 92% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 37.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $37.3 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island.
Every $1 spent returns $37.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,374,460.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $37.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rhode Island College Matters
Rhode Island College is a public university in Providence, RI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,049
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Rhode Island College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 92% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 870–1120. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,478 a year after grants and scholarships — 45% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,318 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 48% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.56 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 92%, Rhode Island College is an accessible choice for students looking for a supportive environment where they can explore their interests. It particularly appeals to those pursuing degrees in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts. The diverse program offerings allow students to align their academic paths with their career aspirations, making it a solid option for individuals who may not have a clear direction yet.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $56,318 within a decade, which is a reasonable figure given the cost of living in Rhode Island. This earning potential suggests that graduates are finding their footing in the job market, even if the graduation rate sits at 47%. This statistic highlights the importance of persistence, as those who stick with their programs can find success and upward mobility in various fields.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid is about $9,478, which makes it a manageable option for many families. With a median debt of $20,500, students can graduate without overwhelming financial burdens, especially when considering the 42% of students receiving Pell Grants. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who are adaptable and open to engaging with their community, as well as those who are focused on practical career paths in high-demand fields.
Rankings
- #2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Rhode Island
- #8 Most Affordable MBA Programs
- #14 Most Affordable Colleges for Public Health
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges for Health Professions
- #16 Most Affordable Colleges for Healthcare Administration
- #18 Best Colleges for Public Health
Can I Get In?
How selective Rhode Island College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rhode Island College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 990. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 990
- SAT Range
- 870–1120
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,523
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
- Applicants
- 3,921
- Admitted
- 3,432
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rhode Island College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rhode Island College is $27,299, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,478. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,378 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,300
- Out-of-State
- $27,299
- Avg Net Price
- $9,478
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,378
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,989
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,701
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,681
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rhode Island College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rhode Island College earn a median of $56,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,882
- 8 Years
- $47,149
- 10 Years
- $56,318
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (226)
- 21%
- 100% (226)
- 21%
- 100% (226)
- 21%
- 100% (226)
- 21%
How Rhode Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Rhode Island College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rhode Island College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,478/year ($37,912 total). Graduates earn $56,318 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,412,372 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,374,460 (37.3× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 47% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $37,912
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,412,372
- Net Return
- $1,374,460
- ROI Multiple
- 37.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,478
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Rhode Island College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rhode Island College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.50%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.50%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $82,700
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,820,520
- Investment Income
- $176,869
Top Programs
The fields Rhode Island College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 24%
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Psychology 11%
- Education 11%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Communications 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rhode Island College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rhode Island College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 990. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rhode Island College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rhode Island College is $27,299, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,478. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,378 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Rhode Island College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rhode Island College earn a median of $56,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Rhode Island College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rhode Island College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.50%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Rhode Island College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rhode Island College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rhode Island College.
- Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $55,813 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA · Close peer52% grad $62,152 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · Close peer44% grad $56,148 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A&M University-KingsvilleKingsville, TX · Close peer44% grad $51,450 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI · Close peer47% grad $54,735 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX · Close peer42% grad $55,747 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rhode Island College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rhode Island College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note