Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Bristol, Rhode Island |
| Online | rwu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Roger Williams University occupies a 140-acre waterfront campus in Bristol, Rhode Island, situated approximately 30 minutes southeast of Providence along Mount Hope Bay. The private institution, founded in 1956, features a blend of modern academic buildings and residential facilities, with many spaces offering views of the bay and the Mount Hope Bridge. The university's academic programs emphasize liberal arts and professional studies, with notable strengths in architecture, marine biology, legal studies, and business, while maintaining selective admission standards. Students reside in traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing complexes spread throughout the coastal campus, and the university competes in NCAA Division III athletics through the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Roger Williams University is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Roger Williams University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#336 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#246 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Colleges in Rhode Island
#6 in Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island
#561 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1130/1300 |
| ACT | 24/30 |
| GPA | 3.43 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $55 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $330 |
| Room and Board | $16,690 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,350 |
| Total One Year Cost | $63,606 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 23% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 11% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Architecture | 7% |
| Psychology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Roger Williams University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217518 IPEDS survey data for Roger Williams University.
Current students may use the Roger Williams University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025