# Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island

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

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

Many students and families are considering the cost of college as they plan for the future. In Rhode Island, several institutions stand out for their affordability without sacrificing potential outcomes. For instance, the Community College of Rhode Island has a net price of just $6,513, making it accessible for a broad range of students.

What separates the strongest schools in this list from the others is not just their low net prices, but also their graduation rates, average earnings, and levels of student debt. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is $67,523, which provides a meaningful context when evaluating the return on investment. The schools below reflect a balance of affordability and outcomes that can help inform your decision.

For example, while the University of Rhode Island has a higher net price at $21,440, it boasts a graduation rate of 72% and average earnings of $69,743. In contrast, Rhode Island College presents a lower net price at $9,478 but with a graduation rate of only 47%. This highlights a crucial tradeoff between immediate costs and long-term earning potential that families should carefully consider.

## Key Findings

- Community College of Rhode Island has the lowest net price at $6,513.
- Brown University graduates earn an average of $93,487, the highest among these schools.
- The University of Rhode Island has a graduation rate of 72%, significantly above Rhode Island College's 47%.
- The overall average debt for graduates in this list is $20,290.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [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 |
| 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 | [Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brown-university) | Providence, RI | 96% | $93,487 | $25,184 | $11,428 | 0.12x |
| 5 | [Johnson & Wales University-Providence](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-wales-university-providence) | Providence, RI | 55% | $43,418 | $31,027 | $26,000 | 0.6x |
| 6 | [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 |
| 7 | [Salve Regina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salve-regina-university) | Newport, RI | 76% | $72,975 | $36,967 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 8 | [Roger Williams University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/roger-williams-university) | Bristol, RI | 68% | $70,266 | $37,999 | $26,940 | 0.38x |
| 9 | [Bryant University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-university) | Smithfield, RI | 80% | $90,008 | $41,219 | $26,849 | 0.3x |
| 10 | [Providence College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/providence-college) | Providence, RI | 87% | $87,054 | $48,523 | $27,000 | 0.31x |
| 11 | [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 |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.