College Costs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Colleges, Cost and Affordability for 2027
How much does it cost to attend college in Rhode Island? The average annual in-state college tuition in Rhode Island was $39,112 for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is $21,302 higher than the U.S. average and ranks Rhode Island amongst the costliest as the 2nd most expensive state or district to attend college. This is a change of $4,272 from the 2022-2023 average of $34,840 and represents a 12.26% annual increase in tuition costs. The list of Rhode Island colleges below provides school specific cost and value rating.
This analysis surveyed tuition data from the 12 colleges and universities in Rhode Island, the most popular being University of Rhode Island with 14,411 full time students and an in-state tuition list price of $16,942. Brown University is the most expensive in Rhode Island with an in-state tuition of $71,412.
All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS 2025 survey and reflect reported costs for academic year 2024/2025.
Brown University
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
5.0 | 2 reviews
- $71,412 tuition
- Jan 5 application deadline
Brown is an Ivy League university known for undergraduate economics, computer science, and the biological sciences. Most students design their own path under the Open Curriculum, which has no required core.
- SAT Range 1510-1580
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.94
- Acceptance Rate 5%
- Net Price $26,256
University of Rhode Island
- Public 4 Year
- Kingston, RI
-
4.0 | 7 reviews
- $16,942 tuition
- Feb 1 application deadline
URI is a public university known for undergraduate oceanography, marine science, and pharmacy. The main campus sits in the college town of Kingston in southern Rhode Island.
- SAT Range 1020-1280
- Avg GPA 3.58
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- Net Price $24,118
Rhode Island School of Design
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
| 0 reviews
- $62,688 tuition
- Feb 1 application deadline
RISD is a highly selective private art and design college known for undergraduate fine arts, industrial design, and architecture. The urban Providence campus borders Brown University and offers a dual-degree program with it.
- SAT Range 1396-1530
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.71
- Acceptance Rate 19%
- Net Price $43,492
Providence College
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
3.0 | 2 reviews
- $63,550 tuition
- Jan 15 application deadline
Providence College is a private Dominican Catholic college known for undergraduate business and the liberal arts. Most undergrads live on the residential campus in a Providence neighborhood.
- SAT Range 1250-1390
- Avg GPA 3.47
- Acceptance Rate 51%
- Net Price $48,618
Johnson & Wales University Providence
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
| 0 reviews
- $42,419 tuition
Johnson & Wales is a private university known for undergraduate culinary arts, hospitality management, and business. The urban campus sits in downtown Providence.
- SAT Range 890-1160
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 88%
- Net Price $32,057
Bryant University
- Private 4 Year
- Smithfield, RI
-
5.0 | 2 reviews
- $52,677 tuition
- Feb 1 application deadline
Bryant is a private university known for undergraduate business. The suburban campus sits northwest of Providence.
- SAT Range 1190-1330
- Avg GPA 3.43
- Acceptance Rate 65%
- Net Price $42,139
Salve Regina University
- Private 4 Year
- Newport, RI
-
4.0 | 2 reviews
- $50,100 tuition
Salve Regina is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing and historic preservation. The Newport campus overlooks the Atlantic and incorporates several Gilded Age mansions.
- SAT Range 1160-1330
- Avg GPA 3.52
- Acceptance Rate 68%
- Net Price $38,307
Rhode Island College
- Public 4 Year
- Providence, RI
-
2.5 | 2 reviews
- $11,300 tuition
- Mar 15 application deadline
Rhode Island College is a public college known for undergraduate teacher education, nursing, and social work. The campus sits in a residential area on the north side of Providence.
- SAT Range 870-1120
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.08
- Acceptance Rate 92%
- Net Price $10,346
Roger Williams University
- Private 4 Year
- Bristol, RI
-
4.3 | 3 reviews
- $44,418 tuition
- Feb 1 application deadline
Roger Williams is a private university known for undergraduate architecture and marine biology. The waterfront campus sits on Mount Hope Bay in Bristol.
- SAT Range 1140-1310
- Avg GPA 3.43
- Acceptance Rate 88%
- Net Price $38,779
Community College of Rhode Island
- Public 2 Year
- Warwick, RI
-
| 0 reviews
- $5,550 tuition
CCRI is a public community college known for undergraduate nursing and allied health programs. The Warwick campus is one of several sites serving students across Rhode Island.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $6,475
New England Institute of Technology
- Private 4 Year
- East Greenwich, RI
-
| 0 reviews
- $37,275 tuition
New England Tech is a private technical university known for undergraduate engineering technology, nursing, and information technology. The suburban campus sits in East Greenwich south of Providence.
- SAT Range 920-1140
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 67%
- Net Price $36,947
College Unbound
- Private 4 Year
- Providence, Rhode Island
-
| 0 reviews
- $11,016 tuition
College Unbound is a private college known for undergraduate programs built for working adults through competency-based, project-centered learning. Most students design personalized bachelor's plans around their jobs and complete degrees while remaining employed.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $20,645