# Best Colleges in Rhode Island

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 11 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-rhode-island

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Rhode Island

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a college can feel overwhelming, especially when weighing options in a specific state like Rhode Island. With 11 colleges to consider, each institution brings unique strengths and challenges. Understanding what these schools have in common can help families make informed decisions about their educational paths.

The schools on this list stand out for their graduation rates, post-graduate earnings, and manageable debt levels. For instance, the average earnings across these colleges is $67,523, and the average graduation rate is 69%. These metrics matter because they provide insight into the long-term value of a college degree and its ability to support students in achieving financial stability.

Take Brown University and the University of Rhode Island, for example. Brown boasts impressive earnings of $93,487 with a graduation rate of 96%, while URI’s earnings are lower at $69,743 and it has a 72% graduation rate. This contrast illustrates the tradeoffs students might face: a higher net price at Brown versus URI's more affordable tuition. It's crucial to consider both the financial implications and potential outcomes as you scroll through the rankings below.

## Key Findings

- Brown University graduates earn an average of $93,487, the highest in Rhode Island.
- Rhode Island College has a graduation rate of only 47%, the lowest among these schools.
- The average debt for a graduate from Bryant University is $26,849.
- Community College of Rhode Island offers the lowest net price at $6,513.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brown-university) | Providence, RI | 96% | $93,487 | $25,184 | $11,428 | 0.12x |
| 2 | [Rhode Island College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rhode-island-college) | Providence, RI | 47% | $56,318 | $9,478 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 3 | [University of Rhode Island](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-rhode-island) | Kingston, RI | 72% | $69,743 | $21,440 | $22,250 | 0.32x |
| 4 | [Community College of Rhode Island](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-rhode-island) | Warwick, RI | 26% | $42,659 | $6,513 | $10,920 | 0.26x |
| 5 | [Bryant University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-university) | Smithfield, RI | 80% | $90,008 | $41,219 | $26,849 | 0.3x |
| 6 | [Providence College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/providence-college) | Providence, RI | 87% | $87,054 | $48,523 | $27,000 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Salve Regina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salve-regina-university) | Newport, RI | 76% | $72,975 | $36,967 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 8 | [Rhode Island School of Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rhode-island-school-of-design) | Providence, RI | 89% | $68,140 | $50,507 | $27,000 | 0.4x |
| 9 | [Roger Williams University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/roger-williams-university) | Bristol, RI | 68% | $70,266 | $37,999 | $26,940 | 0.38x |
| 10 | [New England Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-england-institute-of-technology) | East Greenwich, RI | 59% | $48,684 | $36,483 | $16,668 | 0.34x |
| 11 | [Johnson & Wales University-Providence](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-wales-university-providence) | Providence, RI | 55% | $43,418 | $31,027 | $26,000 | 0.6x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Rhode Island." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-rhode-island

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.